Big, big news.

From the release:

Chuck Todd has been named NBC News Political Director, effective March 12, 2007. Todd will also serve as NBC News' on-air political analyst for "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," "Today," "Meet the Press with Tim Russert" and MSNBC, including "Hardball with Chris Matthews." The announcement was made today by NBC News President Steve Capus and John Fox Sullivan, CEO and Publisher of National Journal Group, NBC's on-air and online partner for political coverage and analysis.

In making the announcement Capus said, "Chuck Todd is one of the most experienced political journalists in this country, and NBC has been the beneficiary of that on an informal basis through the years with his appearances on our programs. Today's announcement formalizes and expands his role with NBC News, underscoring the strength of our partnership with National Journal."

In addition to his on-air analysis, Todd will be responsible for all aspects of NBC News' political coverage, including maintaining contact with the campaigns and serving as the point person for political news and information. Todd will work closely in this capacity with Phil Alongi, NBC's executive producer for Specials and Political programming, Naomi Karam, Political desk senior editor and Tammy Haddad, vice president Washington, for MSNBC. Todd will also edit "First Read," NBC's must-read guide to political news and trends in and around Washington, D.C. (www.firstread.msnbc.com), and write weekly columns of analysis for MSNBC.com. He will be based in NBC News' Bureau in Washington, D.C.

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"Chuck comes to NBC News with a great deal of political experience and will be a terrific addition to the NBC team," said Washington D.C. Bureau chief, Tim Russert. "At the same time, we want to acknowledge and thank outgoing political director Elizabeth Wilner for her outstanding contributions and valued expertise over the years."

Todd is currently the Editor-in-Chief of National Journal's "The Hotline," Washington's premier daily briefing on American Politics. In his 15 years working at "The Hotline" or one of its affiliates, Todd has become one of Washington's foremost experts on political campaigns of all levels. Since joining "The Hotline" in 1992, he has helped grow the publication beyond just a single daily political briefing to the epicenter of American politics it is today.

Said Todd, "There's NBC and then there's everybody else. I am honored to have the opportunity to cover this generation's most important election on network television's most influential stage. It is more than a bit humbling to think I will be calling Brian Williams, Tim Russert and Chris Matthews my colleagues - all three of whom I admire and respect greatly. As for my 'Hotline' and 'National Journal' associates, this is a bittersweet moment for me but thanks to our partnership, I won't be straying too far."

NBC News/MSNBC.com and the National Journal have been partners in political coverage and analysis since 2006. MSNBC.com showcases the National Journal Group's in-depth, non-partisan and up to the minute political information and analysis in its politics section, providing readers with one stop access to all the political news they need at www.politics.msnbc.com.

"While we are obviously sad to see our great friend and colleague move on, we are flattered that NBC News views National Journal Group and 'The Hotline' as a place to find the best political talent in town and know Chuck will bring much to NBC and MSNBC," said John Fox Sullivan, National Journal Group publisher and chief executive. "We are proud of our reputation as the destination for political talent inside the beltway, and look forward to expanding our existing partnership with NBC and MSNBC going forward into the 2008 campaign season."

Todd has frequently appeared on television to offer analysis of campaigns and political events of the day, including MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and weekly appearances on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal." He has also offered analysis for print publications and has been quoted in hundreds of daily newspapers.

In addition to his "Hotline" duties, Todd writes a highly-regarded weekly column for NationalJournal.com and MSNBC.com focusing on the big picture battles for the White House and control of the Senate and House. He also served as a contributing editor to "The Atlantic Monthly" where he penned political essays.

Todd has also written op-ed essays that have been published in "The New York Times" and the "Washington Post." During the 2004 elections, he moderated one of the few presidential candidate forums in Iowa. In addition to Todd's extensive media presence, he teaches a graduate-level political communications course at the Johns Hopkins University.

In December 2005, Todd was featured as one of "Washingtonian's 'Best Of'" journalists. In March 2001, "George" magazine named him one of the 50 most influential people in politics.

Before coming to the world of political reporting and analysis, Todd earned practical political experience on initiative campaigns in Florida and various national campaigns based in Washington, D.C.

He is a native of Miami, Fla., and currently resides in Arlington, Va., with his wife, Kristian and daughter, Margaret.