Billy Mays is a television commercial and infomercial salesman most notable for promoting OxiClean, Orange Glo, and other cleaning, home-based, and maintenance products. His high-energy approach to pitching an array of products has gained Mays a substantial amount of recognition.Born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, after graduating from high school Mays began his career as a salesman on the Atlantic City boardwalk, selling the "Washmatik" portable washing device to passersby. Working alongside many seasoned pitchmen, he developed his trademark style of salesmanship. Mays later traveled to home shows, auto shows and state fairs across the United States for a period of twelve years selling various maintenance products and tools, including cleaning products and food choppers.At a Pittsburgh home show in 1993, Mays struck up a friendship with rival salesman Max Appel, founder of Orange Glo International, a Denver-based manufacturer of cleaning products. He was then hired by the company to promote their line of cleaners, OxiClean, Orange Clean, and Orange Glo, on the Home Shopping Network in St. Petersburg, Florida.Customer response to Mays' sales pitches were enthusiastic, with a sharp increase in sales after his first day on the network, although some reviews have been poor. For example, Washington Post staff writer Frank Ahrens called him "a full-volume pitchman, amped up like a candidate for a tranquilizer-gun takedown." The website Consumerama similarly panned Mays' style, comparing his appearance to "a bouncer in a cut-and-shoot' bar" and describing his delivery as "rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat....". Consumerama awarded him its "Naked Mole-Rats of Marketing Award" for "shameless consumer abuse." Following the success of the Home Shopping Network campaign, a line of successful television commercials and infomercials for the products were produced, featuring Mays demonstrating the effectiveness of the products to viewers hands-on. He typically begins such commercials with "Hi! This is Billy Mays with ." Their success led to OrangeGlo International being named among the top ten privately growing companies from 1999 to 2001 by Inc. magazine, and its eventual buyout by Church and Dwight. Appel credited Mays' salesmanship for much of the company's success.Mays is the CEO and founder of Mays Promotions, Inc., based in Dunedin, Florida. His services as a pitchman became highly sought-after, and he has appeared in commercials for many diverse "as seen on TV" products. Products advertisedThis list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange GloHercules Hook wall hangersSimoniz Fix It Scratch Remover Ding King automotive dent removerGopher reaching toolZorbeez absorbent towelsLint-B-Gone lint brush Samurai Shark knife sharkener Liquid Diamond car waxing productAwesomeAuger Ground Auger, Weed Auger, and Power Extender gardening toolsGulp WrenchAccuGrab laser guided salad tongsTurbo Tiger vacuum cleanerBuy it Use it Break it Fix It car scratcher removerBump Be Gone zit creamFreeFone wireless phone holderSwamp BustersHandy Switch remote light switchesMighty PuttyFoneFree wireless cellphone headsetEasy Off Barn!Crocodile CutterE-Z Fly Yard DetectorRogaine Facial HairSealtite Tire SealantCurrie Motors Chrysler Credit HotlineGenco Power SolutionsVidalia Slice WizardSteam Buddy wrinkle remover/creaserKaboom! productsFleshlightBang! Automotives don't deliverUltimate BladderCutco KitchenwareKaboom! cleanser