Time's Person of the Year Is 'The Protester'

Time magazine picks one person who has had the greatest impact during the year to earn Time's title of "Person of the Year."

This year, Time narrowed down the options to Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge; Admiral William McRaven, who captured Bin Laden with SEAL Team 6; Congressman Paul Ryan, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and The Protester.

On Today this morning, Time's managing editor Rick Stengel sat down with Matt Lauer and Ann Curry to announce their choice.

And the winner is...

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The Protester!

"There was a lot of consensus among our people," Rick explained of the decision. "It felt right and good."

Time is recognizing the protesters particularly in the Arab Spring movement in the Middle East and North Africa, but also a "global protest" including Occupy Wall Street.

"There's this contagion of protest," he added. "These people who risked their lives... I think it's changing the world for the better."

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That's not to say that Time didn't include other important people from the past year in the magazine issue.

The runner-ups were recognized, and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is in the magazine and Steve Jobs is included in their Farewell section.

What do you think of Time's pick for "Person of Year?"

Watch a clip of the announcement on Today, below.

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