Quarterly Results of Operations - Schedule of Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 390,442	$ 349,254	$ 337,047	$ 309,042	$ 359,013	$ 328,415	$ 336,606	$ 302,222	$ 1,385,785	$ 1,326,256	$ 1,223,512
Cost of services sold	260,193	235,659	228,835	211,446	231,330	212,925	225,042	210,419	936,133	879,716	798,518
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	11,143	(31,081)	2,089	(22,772)	(24,036)	(4,690)	31,548	(22,941)	(40,621)	(20,119)	6,739
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	$ 9,097	$ (32,140)	$ 835	$ (23,631)	$ (25,747)	$ (8,128)	$ 30,036	$ (31,615)	$ (45,839)	$ (35,454)	$ (21,411)
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ (0.62)	$ 0.02	$ (0.47)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.14)	$ 0.58	$ (0.51)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	0.17	(0.62)	0.02	(0.47)	(0.52)	(0.16)	0.60	(0.64)
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.17	(0.62)	0.02	(0.47)	(0.52)	(0.14)	0.57	(0.51)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ (0.62)	$ 0.02	$ (0.47)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.60	$ (0.64)