Wattpad Webtoon Studios has appointed veteran network executive David Madden as head of global entertainment.

Reporting to president Aron Levitz and based in LA, Madden will oversee development, production and sales for the studio’s content slate, which includes TV, features and animation. Wattpad Webtoon has been making a name for itself in the YA space lately with Netflix adapting one of the stories on its platform into The Kissing Booth film series and an upcoming podcast with Canadian prodco Shaftesbury called The Infinite Worlds of Ella Jane. 

Madden most recently served as president of television at Berlanti Productions, overseeing TV development and production, and racking up executive producer credits on projects including Superman & Lois, Kung Fu, The Flight Attendant, You and All American: Homecoming. His EP work in the YA space encompasses upcoming Cartoon Network spinoff series Powerpuff and Warner Bros. Animation special Beebo Saves Christmas for the CW. Earlier in his career, Madden was president of programming for AMC Networks’ entertainment channels, and he worked at the same level for Fox Television Studios and Fox Broadcasting Company.

Wattpad Webtoon made significant inroads in Hollywood at the end of 2021, signing a co-production deal with ViacomCBS International Studios; this year, the studio has set up development partnerships with British producer/distributor Fremantle and Italy’s Leone Film Group.

Madden’s appointment comes two months after Wattpad co-founder Allen Lau stepped aside as CEO to work in an advisory capacity at Wattpad and Webtoon, both of which are now subsidiaries of parentco Naver. Wattpad president Jeanne Lam took over leadership and day-to-day operations of the merged company.

This story originally appeared in Playback, Kidscreen‘s sister publication. With files from Ryan Tuchow.