Amy von Walter, VP of communications and public affairs for Best Buy, is moving to Toys "R" Us to head communications for the toy and baby products retailer.

Amy von WalterAmy von Walter

She takes over for Kathleen Waugh, who decamped after 10 years to head communications at fashion retail company Hudson's Bay Co., parent of Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor.

Von Walter will take the title of executive VP, global communications and PR, starting March 14, reporting to chairman and CEO Dave Brandon.

She led corporate communications and brand PR for Best Buy for the past three years at the $40B electronics retail giant.

She held in-house PR posts at Medtronic, HealthPartners & Regional Hospital and Target after a public sector career that included public affairs posts with the US Dept. of Homeland Security during the Bush administration and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Toys "R" Us, based in Wayne, N.J., has 865 stores in the US and 750 international locations. Von Walter's oversight includes media relations, crisis management and brand reputation, as well as special events, team member engagement and philanthropic efforts.