"Mark Whitaker, former Editor of Newsweek and veteran journalist of nearly three decades, will join NBC News as Senior Vice President," the company announced today.

"Whitaker will serve as the second-in-command within NBC News and have oversight of NBC News' daily editorial and newsgathering efforts worldwide. He will provide continuity between newsgathering operations and individual broadcasts and new media. He will also be responsible for NBC News division-wide editorial specials and will help develop online content for MSNBC.com."

He starts on May 21..