Loss Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Numerator
Income from continuing operations	$ (10,566)	$ (23,632)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	(11,073)	(23,632)
Effect of dilutive securities:	0	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent, Diluted	$ (11,073)	$ (23,632)
Denominator
Denominator for basic loss per common share - weighted average common shares	52,998,244	50,002,552
Effect of dilutive securities:	0	0
Denominator for diluted loss per common share - adjusted weighted shares and assumed conversions	52,998,244	50,002,552
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.47)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.47)
Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock [Domain] | Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Numerator
Accretion on Convertible Preferred Shares	$ (507)	$ 0