WAYNE, NJ—Toys R Us, the toy and baby products retailer, has hired Amy von Walter (pictured) as executive vice president, global communications and public relations. She will report directly to chairman and CEO Dave Brandon and will be responsible for media relations, crisis management and brand reputation in the public and the press, as well as special events and team member engagement. Von Walter comes to Toys R Us from Best Buy where she was vice president of communications and public affairs. 

ORRVILLE, OH—The JM Smucker Company has named Jill Penrose as senior vice president, human resources and corporate communications. She is currently vice president and has been with the company for 11 years. Prior to joining Smucker, she was a management consultant with both PricewaterhouseCoopers and Towers Perrin. 

SILVER SPRING, MD—Discovery Communications has promoted 16-year company veteran David Leavy to chief corporate operations and communications officer, adding oversight of Discovery's global technology and operations function. Leavy was most recently chief communications officer and senior executive vice president, corporate marketing and business operations for the company. Prior to Discovery, Leavy served as chief spokesman and senior director of public affairs for the National Security Council and deputy White House press secretary for foreign affairs under President Bill Clinton.