Seeking to shore up its flagging public image, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has retained a consulting firm known for creating controversies in media and politics on behalf of well-heeled clients, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The alliance, which represents the Hollywood studios, said it had hired Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane, who have served as senior aides and advisors to President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. The duo have a reputation for hardball tactics in damage control and inflicting damage on opponents.

The alliance also said it had hired Steve Schmidt, a close advisor to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who served as his campaign manager in 2006.

Tapping the consultants signals that the studios are preparing for what could be a protracted and increasingly nasty strike. Negotiations between writers and the studios have made no progress this week, fueling speculation that the studios may soon turn their attention to negotiating a deal with movie and TV directors, whose contract expires in June.

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