Top 5 Bizarre Points in Madwell's Strange and Outlandish Fall from Grace
Rewritten Article
Madwell's meltdown has been under the media spotlight following a comprehensive investigation by ADWEEK. This turbulent period for the agency has been marred by legal disputes, extravagant spending, delayed pay to employees, and in-house confrontations, all during CEO Chris Sojka's tenure.
As of now, some employees yet to receive their March 15 paychecks are considering consulting legal counsel to help them navigate their situation.
Madwell's Madness: An Exclusive LookThe Madwell spokesperson shared a statement with ADWEEK mid-week, much like Sojka's earlier statement, that pinned the company's financial troubles on cofounder and former business partner David Eisenman. The legal tangles between Sojka and Eisenman were concluded in October 2024.
"Our primary focus remains on resolving the business's issues, which includes settling payments to our employees and vendors while we continue to produce high-quality work for our clients," the statement read.
The statement also mentioned that Madwell has enlisted the help of a forensic accountant to review the financial damage allegedly caused by Eisenman.
Here are the five shocking revelations from ADWEEK's dive into Madwell's cultural and financial state under Chris Sojka's leadership:
1. The Private Jet Odyssey
Sojka apparently took out a loan to buy a $17.5 million private jet in September 2024. This extravagant purchase occurred at a time when Madwell's financial situation was already precarious, with late payrolls and vendor defaults being the norm.
Sojka used an entity he exclusively owns—If You Believe In Me, I'll Believe In You LLC—to buy the aircraft. This LLC shares a link with Madwell, appearing at the bottom of Madcorp's website, which Sojka oversees.
After the jet's registration with the Federal Aviation Administration in early November, the jet completed over 55 flights in 70 days, according to publicly accessible flight path data.
2. The Diss Track Battle
Post the settlement in October 2024, Sojka shared not one but two 'diss track'-style songs with Eisenman via text. The first, titled "Cheap," was produced by Sojka himself, under the alias Clawboy. Its lyrics include lines like, "I stopped chasing fair / Hired lawyers to replace my prayers / I'll admit you've got good hair / But in your chest? Nothing there."
The second song, under a different artist name, includes the ominous lyrics, "take cover," and "they are coming for you."
3. The Diamond-Encrusted Gamble on Wiz Khalifa
In October 2024, Madwell partnered with Wiz Khalifa for a music video for OZIUM Air Sanitizer, but with no financial assurance from the brand. Madwell paid Khalifa an advance of $145,000, with Sojka insisting the payment be made before the shoot, as per an October 5 email obtained by ADWEEK. Additionally, Sojka spent thousands on diamond jewelry for the rapper to keep, according to a former employee.
4. The Adderall Connection
Sojka reportedly encouraged employees to help him acquire Adderall illegally, with one staffer seeking a "connect" from another employee on Sojka's behalf, according to text messages obtained by ADWEEK. Sojka also had a history of alcohol abuse, as claimed in Eisenman's countersuit. A former employee who worked closely with Madwell management witnessed him frequently drinking glasses of fernet throughout the day, including during and between office meetings.
5. The Explosive Outbursts
Former employees recounted multiple instances of Sojka exhibiting volatile, aggressive behavior in interactions with colleagues.
Last summer, Sojka lost his cool about a project from Madwell's fabrication arm, Millwright, calling it "low grade bullshit," according to a July 15, 2024 HR complaint reviewed by ADWEEK. Frustrated, he shouted, kicked a credenza, and attempted to flip a conference room table, a former employee who witnessed the outburst alleged.
This wasn't a singular incident. In late 2023, Eisenman said Sojka became so enraged during an argument outside Madwell's Brooklyn office that he hurled a glass of water at the wall behind Eisenman, shattering it.
Check out the full story here.*
- The Madwell spokesperson accused cofounder David Eisenman of causing financial damage to the company, a claim which Eisenman's legal counsel has deemed baseless.
- Amidst the ongoing turmoil, Madwell has hired a forensic accountant to conduct a thorough review of the company's financial state.
- The ongoing issue of delayed pay for employees has led some to contemplate seeking legal counsel for assistance.
- In an attempt to stabilize the company's financial situation, Madwell is focused on resolving payment issues with employees and vendors.
- The Statement from Madwell's spokesperson also mentioned their primary focus on maintaining high-quality work for their clients in the industry, which includes businesses, finance, and the banking-and-insurance sector.
- During CEO Chris Sojka's tenure, Madwell's financial troubles have escalated, with extravagant purchases like a $17.5 million private jet further straining the company's liquidity.
