Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation

MDC Partners Inc. (the “Company” or “MDC”) has prepared the consolidated financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company reassessed its determination of operating segments and concluded that each Partner Firm represents an operating segment. Pursuant to the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (the “ASC”) Topic 280, Segment Reporting, the Company aggregated Partner Firms that met the aggregation criteria into one Reportable segment and combined and disclosed those Partner Firms that did not meet the aggregation criteria as an “all other” segment. For further information, see Note 14, “Segment Information.”

Nature of Operations

MDC is a leading provider of global marketing, advertising, activation, communications and strategic consulting solutions. MDC’s Partner Firms deliver a wide range of customized services in order to drive growth and business performance for its clients.

MDC Partners Inc., formerly MDC Corporation Inc., is incorporated under the laws of Canada. The Company commenced using the name MDC Partners Inc. on November 1, 2003 and legally changed its name through amalgamation with a wholly-owned subsidiary on January 1, 2004. The Company operates primarily in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.