Beverly Hills Hotel hires former Bill Clinton aide as crisis PR strategist

April 25, 2012. The entrance to the Beverly Hills Hotel is seen in Beverly Hills, Calif. (A2012)

Crisis PR strategist Mark Fabiani is working with the Dorchester Collection as it deals with a boycott of its properties, including the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Hotel Bel-Air, triggered by owner Sultan of Brunei’s imposition of a harsh set of Sharia laws in his country reports Variety.

Fabiani, who worked in Bill Clinton’s administration, was hired by the hotel chain several days ago as a series of organizations announced plans to withdraw their events from the Beverly Hills Hotel in protest of policies in Brunei.

The hotel is owned by the Brunei Investment Agency, which is controlled by that country’s government.

Fabiani and Chris Lehane authored a book, “Masters of Disaster: The Ten Commandments of Damage Control,” along with Bill Guttentag. Fabiani will work with Dorchester via his own LLC.

The boycott grew more widespread this week after Jay Leno and other entertainment figures appeared at a protest across the street from the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard.

Several major talent agencies, including ICM Partners, UTA and WME Entertainment, have joined the boycott, according to representatives from the agencies.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, whose district includes the Hotel Bel Air, has introduced a resolution condemning Brunei’s laws.

The CEO of the Dorchester Collection, Christopher Cowdray, has said in interviews that the boycott will end up hurting employees, and that the Dorchester Collection operates with a code of conduct that includes principles of equality.