Lance Armstrong's High Public Profile

I was interviewed recently for ESPN on the subject of Lance Armstrong maintaining a high public profile -- including through his foundation and it's star-studded "Stand Up To Cancer" telethon -- despite being under federal investigation for allegations of organized doping and fraud (for the full article, click here).

The question: shouldn't Armstrong be "ratcheting down" his public appearances until this crisis blows over?

My answer, from the interview:

Experts in crisis communications say that by going about his normal business and not ducking the spotlight, Armstrong is proceeding in exactly the way they would expect -- indirectly trying to influence public opinion, and by extension, perhaps even prosecutorial discretion.

"Anything else would send the wrong message,'' said Jim Haggerty, president and CEO of the PR Consulting Group in New York, which advises clients on communications strategies in high-profile lawsuits.

"From a perception standpoint, anything that might make you look guilty... makes you guilty.''