Savannah Guthrie named co-anchor of TODAY

Savannah Guthrie has been named co-anchor of TODAY, it was announced Friday. Guthrie joined TODAY as co-host of the third hour in June 2011 and also serves as TODAY's chief legal analyst. The new TODAY team of Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales officially debuts Monday, July 9. 

"As soon as Savannah joined NBC News she was a standout, reporting for every franchise in the news division and rising through the ranks," said TODAY executive producer Jim Bell. "She has a one-of-a-kind combination of sharp wit and approachability, and our viewers value her journalistic skills and legal background just as much as her humor and charm. She can effortlessly go from interviewing the Secretary of State to jumping Olympic-sized hurdles on the plaza. I'm thrilled to welcome Savannah as our newest co-anchor, and along with Matt, Al and Natalie, we've got the best morning team in the business."

During her stint as co-host of TODAY's third hour, Guthrie has interviewed newsmakers of all kinds, from educator Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. Guthrie sat down in 2011 with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who opened up about life in the spotlight over the last 20 years. In May 2012, the Alliance for Women in Media awarded Guthrie a Gracie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in programming created for women, by women, and about women. 

Prior to joining TODAY in June 2011, Guthrie served as NBC News White House Correspondent from December 2008 to June 2011, where she contributed to all NBC News properties, including "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," TODAY and msnbc. Guthrie also served as co-host of msnbc's "The Daily Rundown" from January 2010 to June 2011.