Loss Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	$ 11,253	$ 834	$ 687	$ (22,797)
Numerator
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	7,960	834	(1,730)	(22,797)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Adjustment to Net Income, Allocated to Convertible Shares	6	0	0	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent, Diluted	$ 7,966	$ 834	$ (1,730)	$ (22,797)
Denominator
Denominator for basic income (loss) per common share - weighted average common shares	55,332,497	50,322,757	53,480,144	50,162,654
Effect of dilutive securities:	289,697	380,791	0	0
Denominator for diluted income (loss) per common share - adjusted weighted shares and assumed conversions	55,622,194	50,703,548	53,480,144	50,162,654
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 143.86	$ 16.57	$ (32.35)	$ (454.46)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 143.22	$ 16.45	$ (32.35)	$ (454.46)
Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock [Domain] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Numerator
Accretion on convertible preferred shares	$ 1,910	$ 0	$ 2,417	$ 0
Net Income Allocated to Convertible Shares	$ (1,383)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0