Billy Mays, now gone but still pitching
Posted on July 10th, 2009 by Austin
Though he’s not here in person, legendary pitchman, Billy Mays could live on through TV for years to come.
The bearded sales guru, who was lost to complications from heart disease at age 50 on June 28th had been in selling for 27 years, scoring sales in excess of $1-billion dollars. When his death was announced the commercials all vanished, but those and some new ones are on their way back, “Billy didn’t shoot them to not air,” says Roger Pliakas, Billy’s attorney. “He shot commercials to move the products and make money for his partners.”
Since Billy’s demise, sales of his brands have jumped 25%. It’s not clear if his death was the reason, but those left behind know Bill would be pleased, “Billy loved being on camera,” says Anthony Sullivan, Bill’s business partner. “He loved making money for the companies that hired him, and he’d roll over in his grave if the ads went off the air.”
Bill McAlister, head of sales for the ‘Mighty’ brand, which Billy pitches in the newly-aired spots, agrees with that view, “We didn’t know what to expect,” he told the LA Times. “But we’ve had such a great response, we decided to go on with the ads.”
Billy’s brand of showmanship was a rare and precious blend, and his friend, Anthony is determined it will live on – even if he has to wear that famous blue shirt himself, “There will never be another Billy Mays,” he said, close to tears. “He’s an American original. But business must go on. Billy would want it that way.”
No comments yet.