Top 5 Bizarre and Offbeat Aspects of Madwell's unusual and audacious downfall
A Tale of Turbulence: The Downfall of Madwell - Part I
Madwell, a trailblazing indie agency, has hit some tough times, as reported by ADWEEK after a lengthy investigation. The agency's decline has been marked by legal drama, excessive expenses, unpaid bills, and internal strife, all under the leadership of CEO Chris Sojka.
Employees, some still waiting for paychecks from March 15, are considering hiring an attorney for assistance.
Exclusive! The Inside Scoop on Madwell's Madness: A $17.5M Private Jet, a $1M Launch Party, and Adderall 'Connects'
In response to ADWEEK's inquiry, Madwell released a statement on Wednesday. Reminiscent of Sojka's earlier statement, it placed the blame for the agency's financial predicament on his former business partner, David Eisenman. Sojka and Eisenman had settled a lawsuit over the finances and control of the agency back in October 2024.
"Although our former partner has hurled numerous unfounded accusations against our current CEO and the organization, our primary priority remains the stabilization of the business. This includes ensuring the compensation of our employees and vendors, as well as delivering top-tier work for our clients," the statement read. The statement also mentioned that Madwell had enlisted the help of a forensic accountant to evaluate the "financial harm" attributed to Eisenman.
Looking back, here are the five most remarkable revelations from ADWEEK's investigation into Madwell's cultural and financial health, under the command of CEO Chris Sojka.
1. The $17.5 million private jet
In September 2024, Sojka acquired a $17.5 million private jet, revealed documents obtained by ADWEEK. The 11-seat 2009 Dassault Falcon 7X was purchased at a time when Madwell was already grappling with delayed payroll and defaulting on payments to vendors, according to multiple sources. Sojka purchased the plane through If You Believe In Me, I'll Believe In You LLC, a company he entirely owns. The LLC is linked to Madwell, with its name appearing at the bottom of the Madcorp website- the holding company Sojka heads that governs Madwell.
In the following 70 days, the jet completed more than 55 flights, according to publicly available flight path data.
2. Cofounder diss tracks
Following their settlement in October 2024, Sojka shared not just one but two 'diss track'-style songs with Eisenman via text-one in December and one earlier this month. The first, under the pseudonym Clawboy, included lyrics 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, contained ominous lyrics such as "take cover," and "they are coming for you."
3. A diamond-encrusted bet on Wiz Khalifa
In October 2024, Madwell collaborated with Wiz Khalifa on a music video for OZIUM Air Sanitizer. However, the collaborative project came at a substantial cost to the agency's liquidity, as Sojka insisted on wire transfers before the shoot, per an October 5 email obtained by ADWEEK. Moreover, Sojka splurged thousands on diamond jewelry for the rapper, hoping to secure his involvement.
4. An Adderall plug
Sojka is alleged to have coaxed employees to help him secure Adderall illegally, with one staffer seeking a "connect" for Sojka from another employee, according to text messages obtained by ADWEEK. Additionally, Sojka's alcohol consumption was a concern, as claimed in Eisenman's countersuit. A former employee who worked closely with Madwell management allegedly witnessed Sojka frequently consuming fernet throughout the day, even during office meetings.
5. Explosive altercations
Former employees have reported instances of Sojka's volatile and aggressive behavior. Last summer, during a discussion about a project from Madwell's fabrication arm, Millwright, Sojka reportedly flew into a rage, calling the project "low grade bullshit." Frustrated, he reportedly kicked a credenza and attempted to flip a conference table, according to a former employee who witnessed the outburst. Similar incidents were reported in late 2023.
Stay tuned for Part II, where we delve deeper into the chronicling of Madwell's tumultuous path, bringing to light more revelations about their internal dynamics and financial struggles.
Read the full story here.
- Madwell, a struggling indie agency, has faced legal drama, excessive expenses, unpaid bills, and internal strife, with CEO Chris Sojka at the helm.
- Chris Sojka's questionable financial decisions led him to purchase a $17.5 million private jet through his company If You Believe In Me, I'll Believe In You LLC, despite the company's existing financial woes.
- In a bizarre incident, Sojka reportedly contacted his former business partner, David Eisenman, with not one but two 'diss track'-style songs, containing aggressive lyrics about their ongoing dispute.
- Madwell's liquidity suffered when Sojka spent thousands on diamond jewelry for a music video collaboration with Wiz Khalifa.
- Allegations of unprofessional behavior toward employees include Sojka's request for illegal Adderall and his volatile and aggressive behavior, including flipping conference tables during office meetings.
- Amidst the ongoing financial troubles and baseless accusations between Sojka and Eisenman, Madwell is focusing on the stabilization of the business to ensure employee compensation and client satisfaction. The agency has enlisted a forensic accountant to evaluate Eisenman's role in the agency's financial predicament.
