SAVANNAH GUTHRIE NAMED "TODAY" CO-ANCHOR

NEW YORK - June 29, 2012 - Savannah Guthrie has been named co-anchor of NBC News' "Today." The announcement was made today by NBC News President Steve Capus and is effective immediately. The new "Today" anchor team of Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales officially debuts Monday, July 9.

Statement from Steve Capus, NBC News President: "In just a few short years Savannah, has become a standout member of the news division as well as the ultimate team player. She's anchored for Brian on "NBC Nightly News," moderated for David on "Meet the Press," co-hosted the 9 a.m. hour of "Today," reported for "Rock Center" and "Dateline," and provided legal insights in our Supreme Court Special Reports - and that was all within the last week! She's got an undeniable range, and she's earned the trust of the news community, her colleagues and our viewers alike. I couldn't be happier for Savannah and the entire 'Today' team."

Statement from Jim Bell, "Today" Executive Producer: "As soon as Savannah joined NBC News she was a standout, reporting for every franchise in the news division and rising through the ranks. 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."

Savannah Guthrie will continue her role as NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent.

Guthrie joined "Today" in June 2011 as co-host of the third hour and chief legal correspondent. Prior to joining "Today," 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.

Since joining "Today," Guthrie has conducted several news-making interviews for the program. In October 2011, Guthrie spent a day in the life with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. In the exclusive interview, Clinton opened up to Guthrie about life in the spotlight over the last twenty years. In April 2011, Guthrie sat down with Donald Trump in a timely interview in which the billionaire discussed his comments regarding President Obama's birth certificate, raising the debt ceiling, and his shot at the presidential race. In November 2011, Guthrie interviewed Dr. Conrad Murray who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death trial of Michael Jackson. The interview, conducted before the verdict was rendered, made headlines and revealed many unknown details of the night Jackson died. Guthrie has also conducted multiple celebrity interviews while at "Today" including an exclusive sit down with Academy Award winner Meryl Streep.

As NBC News White House Correspondent, Guthrie covered the 2008 presidential elections and travelled with Sarah Palin's campaign. In May 2011, during one of the biggest news stories in recent times, Guthrie reported exclusive details of the events surrounding details of Osama Bin Laden's death.

Prior to joining NBC News in September 2007, Guthrie serves as legal affairs correspondent and national trial correspondent for "Court TV." While there, she covered Congress, the Supreme Court, and high-profile court proceedings including the Zacarias Moussaoui trial, the Scooter Libby case, the Samuel Alito confirmation hearings, the Michael Jackson child molestation case. Guthrie joined "Court TV" from the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld where she practiced law, with an emphasis in white-collar litigation, from 2002-2003.

Guthrie anchored, reported and produced at local affiliates across the country including WRC in Washington, D.C., KVOA in Tucson, Ariz., and KMIZ in Columbia, Mo. She has been honored with two Emmys and a Gracie Allen Award.

In 2002, Guthrie received her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, where she graduated magna cum laude. She was a member of Order of the Coif and received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers' Student Advocacy Award for her work with victims of domestic violence. She graduated cum laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1993. She received the top score on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002.