Over the past several months, the public has seen an influx of direct response advertising as the recession has caused typical advertisers to cut their budgets and left television stations looking to alternative buyers–enter the Snuggie, the ShamWow, and Cash4Gold. As well as the slew of products that ubiquitous pitchman Billy Mays enthusiastically promoted.
Mays was found dead Sunday morning in his Tampa, FL home. WTVT, Tampa’s Fox affiliate, conducted what is believed to be Mays’s last interview…
Billy Mays’ Final TV Interview
As well, here’s a recent profile that WTVT did of “master salesman”…
You literally see him on virtually every TV and cable channel selling everything. Billy Mays hawks with no fear. “Whatever product I’m selling, it’s like putting on Superman’s cape,” he says. “I become Billy Mays, the ultimate pitchman. And that’s who I am. And I’m proud to be that.” Full article and video… (Al Tompkins, Poynter Institute)
Back in May, WNYC’s “On the Media” profiled the veteran pitchman and new reality TV star. “Pitch Perfect” story from NPR…