Not only scapegoats but also backup as a service. I.e you are an executive with an unpopular plan, you bring them in to carry your message.

You can be like see these very smart people that we are paying a ton of money, agree with me, the fact that i hired them is completely coincidental.

this is the correct answer. nobody internal ends up as the "bad guy".

Also works if you want to derail someone else's plan

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