Billy Mays became known for his dynamic sales pitches and booming voice through infomercials that promoted products such as OxiClean and Mighty Putty. Mays was born in McKeesrocks, Pennsylvania on July 20, 1958. After a brief career in semi-professional soccer, he found his niche in direct response advertising. He began his career on the Atlantic City Boardwalk where he was taught the art of selling products by seasoned salesmen.
What led to Billy Mays’ unexpected death?
Billy Mays, a resident of Tampa, Florida was found to be unresponsive in his home on the morning of Sunday, June 28, 2009. He was declared dead at 7:45 am by a fire-rescue crew. It was not clear at first what caused his death, but he reported feeling unwell the day before after landing hard on a U.S. Airways plane. A piece of luggage from the overhead compartment hit him in the head during the flight. Mays referred to this incident during an interview. He noted the severity of the blow but made jokes about his resilience. A medical examination was planned to determine his exact cause of death in the days that followed his passing.
What impact did Billy Mays have on the advertising world?
Billy Mays was a pioneer in advertising for his direct, energetic approach which harkened back to older styles of product marketing. This approach was incredibly successful in an era when subtlety and irony were prevalent in advertising. Mays’ style was able to connect with a wide audience and resulted in over $1 billion worth of product sales along with his colleague Anthony Sullivan. The success of the duo was showcased in their reality television show, “Pitchmen,” aired by Discovery Channel. This further cemented Mays’ position as a leader in direct response television.
What Was Unique About Mays’ Promotional Techniques?
Mays’s promotional techniques were based on his belief in the products that he sold, unlike many of his peers. He stated many times that his longevity was due to the quality of the products. His trademarked enthusiasm and assurance of quality helped to build a relationship based on trust with his audience. This made his pitches more than sales talks – they were assurances backed up by his personal integrity.
What was Billy Mays’ engagement with modern media trends?
Mays has adapted to a world dominated by digital technology by parodying himself and adopting internet culture. He appeared in advertisements that capitalized on his fame from infomercials, such as promotions for brands like ESPN360.com or DC Shoes. His adaptability demonstrated his understanding of the changing dynamics of advertising and his ability, through humor and self awareness, to engage a new generation by engaging them.
What was the impact of Mays’ death on the industry?
Billy Mays’s death marked the end an era of direct response advertising. Fans and colleagues were deeply affected by his passing, as they remembered him for not only his pitches, but also his charismatic and charitable nature. Anthony Sullivan expressed his deepest sorrow, pointing out Mays’ importance as a friend, and a major figure in advertising. The advertising industry was forced to adjust to Mays’ absence, as his methods and personality left a lasting impression on how products are sold on TV.
The conclusion of the article is:
Billy Mays is remembered for his unique style, his ability as a pitchman to sell products and adapt to changing media trends. The untimely passing of Billy Mays brought to light his significant influence on direct response advertising and consumer culture. Mays’s influence continues to be felt in the advertising industry. This is a testament of his talent and passion.