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Ultimate Pitchman 'Loved to Sell'
Ted Jackovics, Tampa Tribune, Fla.
Born July 20, 1958, in McKees Rocks, Pa., Mays began his sales career after graduating from high school in 1977 by hawking a portable washing device along the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
For years, he sold various products at state fairs and home shows, making a name for himself with his booming voice and genial personality. One of the earliest products Mays was hired to pitch was the Shammy absorbent cloth.
After meeting Orange Glo International founder Max Appel at a home show in Pittsburgh in the mid-1990s, Mays was recruited to demonstrate the environmentally friendly line of cleaning products on the St. Petersburg-based Home Shopping Network.
Commercials and infomercials followed, anchored by the high-energy Mays showing how it was done while tossing out kitschy phrases such as, “Long live your laundry!” His prominence grew through promoting OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom and other household products such as the Mighty Putty glue.
In time, Mays became a celebrity in his own right. People lined up for his appearances, asked for his autograph, and he showed up to chat on TV talk shows such as “The Tonight Show,” where he was a guest last week.
“He was really smart to create a character with his beard and his loud blue shirt,” said AJ Khubani, founder and chief executive of the “As Seen On TV” company TeleBrands. “He grew up as an average Joe and really understood the needs of consumers and how to reach them.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817
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HarrietAlison
4 months ago
470 comments
Good positive article.
stroytillery
4 months ago
2 comments
I was really sad to hear f the death of Mr. Billy Mayes. I would watch his TV show every week and he would give me inspiration through his excitement and willingness to help others. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Troy Tillery / Dallas Texas
tazigirl
4 months ago
90 comments
What a loss at such a young age. Billy could really sell.