PR expert says author Steven Galloway failed to use available tools to restore reputation
In testimony at the B.C. Supreme Court, a public-relations specialist argued that the bestselling writer had the assets to rebuild his image after a sexual-assault scandal but did not implement an effective crisis-communication plan.
Norman Stowe, managing partner of Pace Group Communications, testified Thursday as a defence witness in the defamation trial brought by bestselling author Steven Galloway. Stowe said that, despite being accused of sexual assault by a former creative-writing student, Galloway possessed several advantages that could have helped him rehabilitate his public image, including ongoing support from prominent Canadian literary figures, generally positive media coverage, a UBC-commissioned report that cleared him of the assault allegations, and two settlements from his alma mater.
"He had a lot going for him that never seemed to come together in a way that he could move on from this," Stowe said.
Stowe’s report, prepared for the defence team of the accuser (identified only as A.B. due to a publication ban), is expected to be used in closing arguments to show that Galloway’s own response contributed to the damage to his reputation. He noted that high-profile individuals such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton, businesswoman Martha Stewart and golfer Tiger Woods faced comparable reputational challenges but managed to recover by following standard crisis-communication steps.
During cross-examination, Stowe acknowledged an error in his earlier finding that Galloway took “no steps” to restore his career, but maintained that the author’s actions stalled the rehabilitation process. He emphasized that a typical plan involves rebuilding a narrative, enlisting supportive voices, and avoiding isolation.
Galloway’s lawyer, Daniel Burnett, highlighted that his client followed three of Stowe’s six recommended steps: maintaining his innocence, securing endorsements such as an open letter signed by Margaret Atwood, and engaging with the media through an interview and an op-ed.
Later in the session, defendant Mandi Gray, an assistant professor of criminology, began testifying on defamation claims related to social-media posts that repeated A.B.’s allegations. Gray’s lawyer, Vanshika Dhawan, said her client is withdrawing certain defences for some posts while asserting fair comment for others, and expressed regret over the language used in the earlier statements.