The brief
Gregory Ioannidis, a law lecturer at the University and an advocate at the Greek bar, was representing Greek athletes Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou against a charge of evading doping controls. A hostile world media potentially threatened their future by assuming their guilt even before the case was heard.
Our approach
Appointed by the University, we provided Ioannidis and his clients with expert crisis management consultancy and media relations expertise, instigated worldwide. This presented the defence case in more balanced terms, as well as highlighting the shortcomings of the prosecution case. It also supported Ioannidis in lobbying for the removal of doping matters from the hands of sports’ governing bodies.
The result
Our campaign resulted in many hundreds of cuttings in leading international press titles and extensive coverage in the world’s broadcast media. Media and public perception of the athletes was transformed and they received fairer and more positive treatment. They were ultimately cleared of the charges.
