Guess What? Meuthia Kasim

Guess What? Meuthia Kasim

Who is a public relations officer's best friend?

"Journalists," according to Meuthia Kasim, PR manager of
Jakarta's Hard Rock Cafe.

But she recently had a sad experience with her 'best friends'
when a number of music journalists 'boycotted' all music events
at the cafe because of a misunderstanding between the cafe staff
and journalists.

"I realized that the solidarity among them is very strong,"
the tiny young woman said during a Valentine's Day party at the
cafe.

Sometime last year, a music reporter was prevented from
entering the cafe, which was packed with visitors and journalists
eager to watch a music performance. Knowing that one of their
friend had been badly treated, most of his fellow reporters
decided not to cover the event.

"We did not intend (to bar the journalist's entry). But at the
time the cafe was already so over-crowded that we had to reject
all new visitors," added Meuthia, formerly known as a radio
broadcaster.

But, it seems that Meuthia has won back the hearts of her
'best friends.' Dozens of local journalists surrounded her during
the Valentine's Day party. "A PR officer has to know how to deal
with people," Meuthia smiled. (msa)