Acquisitions - Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent and Transfers (to) from Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ 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
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
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)
Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interests
Change from net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests									(23,063)	(78,234)	(30,403)
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interests from Business Acquisitions									$ 22,776	$ (42,780)	$ (8,992)