Darrell Ahrens

William Darrell Mays Jr., known to millions as Billy Mays, was an American television personality famous for his high-energy, direct-response sales pitches. Born in Pennsylvania in 1958, Mays began his sales career on the Atlantic City boardwalk selling various 'As Seen on TV' products. He later transitioned to promoting items through home shows, auto shows, and state fairs across the country.

Mays became a prominent figure in direct-response television marketing, particularly through the Home Shopping Network, where he hawked products like OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom, Zorbeez, and Mighty Mendit. His signature style included a loud, booming voice, a distinctive beard, and an impassioned delivery, often beginning his commercials with his well-known catchphrase, "Hi, Billy Mays here". His unique approach made him a recognizable presence on television in both the United States and Canada. He also appeared with his business partner Anthony Sullivan in the Discovery Channel series 'PitchMen', which documented their work.

After a brief stint in his father's hazardous waste business, Billy Mays moved to Atlantic City in 1983. There, he honed his sales skills on the boardwalk, selling products like the Washmatik portable washing device. He described learning his distinctive pitching style from seasoned salesmen in the area. For over a decade, Mays traveled nationwide, appearing at various shows and fairs to sell a range of maintenance products, cleaning supplies, and kitchen gadgets. This period provided him with extensive experience in demonstrating and selling products directly to consumers, laying the groundwork for his future television career.

Mays's career took a significant turn in 1993 when he was hired by Orange Glo International to promote their cleaning products on the Home Shopping Network. His enthusiastic and loud sales tactics proved highly effective, leading to substantial sales increases. He became strongly associated with brands like OxiClean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom. Mays founded his own company, Mays Promotions, Inc., and became a sought-after pitchman for numerous 'As Seen On TV' products, including Mighty Putty. His energetic persona, characterized by his catchphrase "Hi, Billy Mays here" and a forceful delivery, made him a memorable television personality.

In his later career, Mays expanded his reach beyond traditional infomercials. He appeared in parodic commercials for ESPN's online service, ESPN360, and made live promotional appearances, such as at the 2008 Champs Sports Bowl. He also signed a deal to film infomercial-style commercials for Taco Bell. Mays was featured with his colleague Anthony Sullivan in the Discovery Channel series 'PitchMen', which offered a behind-the-scenes look at their work in direct-response marketing. He made notable appearances on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' and 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' shortly before his death in June 2009.

“Hi, Billy Mays here”