CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenue:
Services	$ 344,700	$ 309,042
Operating expenses:
Cost of services sold	237,563	211,446
Office and general expenses	87,840	77,828
Depreciation and amortization	10,898	11,220
Costs and Expenses, Total	336,301	300,494
Operating profit	8,399	8,548
Other income (expense):
Other, net	2,567	15,512
Interest expense and finance charges	(16,768)	(15,575)
Loss on redemption of notes	0	(33,298)
Interest income	227	178
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(13,974)	(33,183)
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates	(5,575)	(24,635)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,969	(1,972)
Loss before equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates	(9,544)	(22,663)
Equity in earnings (losses) of non-consolidated affiliates	(139)	229
Net loss	(9,683)	(22,434)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(883)	(859)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	$ (10,566)	$ (23,293)
Basic and diluted
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (210.00)	$ (470.00)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	52,998,244	50,002,552
Share-based Compensation	$ 4,950	$ 4,685
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	(11,073)	(23,293)
Cost of Sales [Member]
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Share-based Compensation	3,511	3,136
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Share-based Compensation	1,439	1,549
Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock [Domain] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Other income (expense):
Accretion on convertible preferred shares	$ (507)	$ 0