The Floyd Landis doping scandal: Implications for image repair discourse

An Examination of Michigan State University’s Image Repair via Facebook and the Public Response Following the Larry Nassar Scandal

“…This study reinforced the notion that reducing offensiveness tactics such as bolstering is relatively ineffective as an image-repair tactic, which lends support to previous image-repair research (Benoit & Hanczor, 1994; Brazeal, 2008; Brown, K. A. et al, 2016; Glantz, 2010). Overall, bolstering posts received the least amount of engagement (i.e., shares, comments, and reactions) in this data set.…”

“…The author concluded that even though Owens employed mortification during his press conference, his image-repair efforts were unsuccessful due to his use of bolstering and sidestepping blame. Along similar lines, in their examination of cyclist Floyd Landis’s image repair following a positive drug test prior to the 2006 Tour de France, Glantz (2010) argued that Landis’s image repair failed due to his use of denial, bolstering, attacking the accuser, differentiation, and defeasibility.…”

“…Previous research has indicated that reducing offensiveness and evading responsibility are relatively ineffective approachs to image repair (see Benoit & Hanczor, 1994; Brazeal, 2008; Glantz, 2010). Specifically, Brown, K. A. et al (2016) found that mortification was more effective than reducing offensiveness or evading responsibility.…”

“May No Act of Ours Bring Shame”

“…Benoit and Hanczor (1994) conducted one of the initial sports image repair studies as they examined Tonya Harding’s defense of her image on Eye-to-Eye with Connie Chung after her involvement in an attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan. Brown, Dickhaus, and Long (2012) examined the negative backlash LeBron James received from the media and fans after announcing that he would leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign with the Miami Heat on his televised special, The Decision . Glantz (2010) used a similar method to evaluate 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis’s attempt at image restoration following charges of illegal substance use.…”

Deutsche Telekom’s spying scandal: An international application of the image repair discourse

“…Benoit (2014) proposed five strategies for image repair, as follows: denial, evade responsibility, reduce offensiveness, corrective action, and mortification. Past studies looked into the image repair strategies enacted by politicians (Anagondahalli, 2013;Benoit, 2006;Benoit & Brinson, 1999;Fisher Liu, 2007;LenRios & Benoit, 2004), corporations (Benoit, 1995;Blaney, Benoit, & Brazeal, 2002;Brinson & Benoit, 1996;Harlow, Brantley, & Martin Harlow, 2011;King, 2006) and celebrities (Benoit, 1997a;Benoit, 1999;Brazeal, 2008;Glantz, 2010;Walsh & McAllister-Spooner, 2011). They ascertained that the main communicative acts are the same for both corporations and individuals (Benoit, 1997b) and differences reside in the fact that celebrities and companies have more resources they can invest in image repair attempts (Benoit, 1997b) as opposed to regular individuals.…”