Willie Geist to Replace Savannah Guthrie for 9:00 Hour of NBC's TODAY

Willie Geist has been named co-host of the 9 a.m. hour of NBC’s TODAY. The announcement was made by Jim Bell, Executive Producer of “Today,” and is effective November 12, 2012. In his new role, Geist will continue as a contributor to NBC News programs as well as NBC Sports Group, where he will report for the Olympics and NBC Sports Network. Geist will replace Today co-host Savannah Guthrie for the 9:00 am hour.

“We are thrilled to add Willie to the ‘Today’ team,” said Bell. "He brings a solid news background with a keen sense of creativity and humor. From politics to pop culture, Willie is a skilled and versatile reporter who will make a great addition at 9 a.m. and contribute to the entire broadcast."

Geist will also remain co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” where he has covered national politics since 2007. He will have an expanded web presence with MSNBC.com's revamped "Zeitgeist," a video blog he started and has run since 2007.

Geist has been the host of the MSNBC’s “Way Too Early with Willie Geist,” a program he created in 2009. He joined MSNBC in 2005 as a senior producer, before moving to the other side of the camera. He has since served as a contributor to a number of NBC News programs, including “Today,” “Nightly News with Brian Williams” and “Rock Center with Brian Williams.” Geist also anchored NBC Sports Network’s coverage of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Geist is the author of the 2010 New York Times bestseller American Freak Show, and the co-author of Loaded! Become a Millionaire Overnight and Lose 20 Pounds in 2 Weeks or Your Money Back!, a satire of the self-help genre.

He lives in New York with his wife and their two children.

Jim Bell is the executive producer of “Today” (Mon.-Fri., 7-11 a.m.).

Photo credit: Peter Kramer/Bravo