John Ryley, Head of Sky News

John Ryley will address Oxford Media Society today at 6.30pm in Barclay Room, Green Templeton College.

He hails from Witney, but the Head of Sky News unconsciously did more than most to stop the Honourable Member for Witney, David Cameron, winning the overall majority he wanted for the Conservatives in May. John Ryley was the man whose single-minded determination brought about the first live TV debates between party leaders in the run-up to the election, a coup many had previously attempted but never achieved. Ryley made his position to the prospective PMs perfectly transparent in an op-ed column in The Times: show up or we'll do the show anyway with an empty seat. He was even willing to co-operate with the BBC and ITV to make it happen. Though Cameron had been expected to do well, he was outflanked by a popular Nick Clegg (remember that!) and struggled to connect with voters.

This supreme accomplishment is hardly untypical of Ryley's career. Ever the high-flyer, he was appointed Head of Sky News four years ago at the age of just 44, having already spent 11 years at the channel, latterly as its executive editor.

Described by colleagues as an "extraordinary dynamo" and a "news nerd", Ryley will be speaking about his phenomenal career at the top of British TV and the challenges facing journalists in today's 24-hour news environment.

David Abraham, CEO of Channel 4

David Abraham will address Oxford Media Society on 30th November at 8PM. Location TBC, all welcome £2/event or free if you are an Oxford Media Society member.

At the beginning of this year, David Abraham was appointed the sixth chief executive in Channel 4's 27 year history.

In his role, he faces a huge challenge to maintain Channel 4's growth. Only last year, C4's revenues are thought to have failed below £900m, with advertising down 12%.It has been forced to cut its budget programme to £525m and its ratings have failen from 11.9% to 11.6%. Channel 4 will also need to replace its blockbuster Big Brother in 2011. Driving the growth of C4 represents a huge challenge, but many believe that Abraham, with its 9-years experience in pay-TV, will meet it.

Before becoming CEO of Channel 4, Abraham was previously the head of UKTV, where he successfully rebranded UKTV's 10-channel portfolio with short, punchy monikers such as Dave, Watch, Blighty, Eden and Alibi.

He joined UKTV in 2007 from Discovery Networks USA, where he held the role of executive vice-president and general manager of the TLC and Discover Home channels. Before moving to the US, he was the head of networks in London-based Discovery Europe.

David Abraham moved into TV management after a career in advertising; at 32 he was a co-founder of the influential ad agency St Luke's where he was instrumental in landing clients such as BSkyB, HSBC, BBC Radio 1 and BBC 2. He also helped to reposition major consumer businesses such as The Body Shop and BP. At the time, St Luke's was the coolest agency in London, boasting a deskless office, the latest technology and client brand rooms.

Abraham graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford in 1984 with a degree in Modern History. He started his career as a graduate trainee at ad agency Benton and Bowles in 1984.

Join the Committee!

Oxford Media Society is looking for dedicated committee members for Hilary and Trinity Term 2011 (each position is held for two terms). If you're an energetic, organised individual who is passionate about the media industry please e-mailoxfordmediasoc@gmail.com, attaching your up to date CV and covering letter. In your covering letter, please tell us why would you like to be on the committee, assess this term of Oxford Media Society's activity and outline ideas for next term's events. Deadline for applications is Sunday 21st November, 8PM. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail oxfordmediasoc@gmail.com.

Moray MacLennan, Worldwide CEO of M&C Saatchi

Moral MacLennan will address the Oxford Media Society on Monday, 22nd November in Massey Room, Balliol College at 8PM. All welcome, £2/event or free for OMS members (£10/year).

Moray MacLennan is the Worldwide CEO of M&C Saatchi and has described as "the 007 of adland". In his position as Worldwide CEO, he put in place infrastructure linking M&C Saatchi's offices around the globe and is in charge of targeting multinational clients for business.

MacLennan studied law at Christ's College, Cambridge and he joined Saatchi & Saatchi as a graduate trainee in 1983. At 26 he became the firm's youngest board director, being made group account director a year later and, at 32, joint managing director. He left the company in 1995 when the brothers Charles & Maurice quit to launch M&C Saatchi.

At M&C Saatchi, Moray MacLennan was behind the advertising campaign which saw Sainsbury's adopt orange colour and 'Making Life Taste Better' slogan. He also masterminded the Silk Cut cigarettes campaign.

MacLennan was the president of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (UK's main body for advertising, media and marketing firms) between 2007 and 2009. He has often stated that the future of British economy depends its creative talent.

John Kay reporting masterclass - SUNDAY 8PM

John Kay, The Sun's Chief Reporter, will be giving a masterclass on 'the art of reporting' at 8pm this Sunday. The talk will be accessible and highly entertaining and, as such, is open to all, but it is especially recommended for student journalists, aspiring reporters and RISJ fellows.

Many people regard Kay to be the finest reporter of his generation. He is the only reporter ever to have scooped the British Press Association's illustrious Reporter of the Year award twice. Ina trade notorious for short-term jobs, Kay has been a national reporter since 1970 and The Sun's Chief Reporter since 1990, outlasting every editor and fellow reporter on the paper. He has worked under every editor since the paper launched and has been responsible for many of the biggest scoops of the last 40 years. He is hugely respected by such industry heavyweights as Will Lewis (former Telegraph Editor), Rebekah Brooks (famously feisty News International chief executive), and is on good terms with Rupert Murdoch himself.

Respected media commentator (and former editor of the Mirror) Roy Greenslade said "every trainee reporter should spend a day with Kay", while the Press Gazette said "John Kay proves some journalists are indispensable".

Oxford Media Soc is thrilled to offer you a unique opportunity to get practical reporting tips from the man top British journalists voted one of the top reporters of all time.

Do come along on Sunday night to hear from, and question, a true Fleet Street legend.

Seminar Room, Corpus Christi, 8pm, Sunday
£2 entry or free for members (join at oxfordmediasoc.co.uk)
RSVP on Facebook - http://on.fb.me/dg1V2B