Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation and Recent Developments The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MDC Partners Inc. (the “Company” or “MDC”), its subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. References herein to “Partner Firms” generally refer to the Company’s subsidiary agencies. MDC Partners Inc. has prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for reporting interim financial information on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, the financial statements have been condensed and do not include certain information and disclosures pursuant to these rules. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. The consolidated results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (“2017 Form 10-K”). The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normally recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation, in all material respects, of the information contained therein. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial information to conform to the current year presentation, such as the reclassification of contingent consideration payments in the statement of cash flows in connection with the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow. See Note 14 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the new guidance and reclass within the statement of cash flows. On September 12, 2018 the Company announced that Scott Kauffman will step down as the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He will remain in his role as Chairman and CEO until a successor is named. Mr. Kauffman is also expected to continue as a member of the MDC Board of Directors for the remainder of his current term. On September 20, 2018, the Company announced its intention to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives, which may result in, among other things, the possible sale of the Company. The Company has not made a decision to pursue any specific strategic alternative, and there is no timetable for completing the strategic review process. This review process is proceeding in parallel with the Company’s search to identify a successor CEO. There can be no assurance that the Company will complete any specific action or transaction.

Basis of Presentation and Recent Developments

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MDC Partners Inc. (the “Company” or “MDC”), its subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. References herein to “Partner Firms” generally refer to the Company’s subsidiary agencies.

MDC Partners Inc. has prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for reporting interim financial information on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, the financial statements have been condensed and do not include certain information and disclosures pursuant to these rules. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. The consolidated results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (“2017 Form 10-K”).

The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normally recurring accruals, which in the opinion of management are necessary for a fair presentation, in all material respects, of the information contained therein. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial information to conform to the current year presentation, such as the reclassification of contingent consideration payments in the statement of cash flows in connection with the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow. See Note 14 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the new guidance and reclass within the statement of cash flows.

On September 12, 2018 the Company announced that Scott Kauffman will step down as the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He will remain in his role as Chairman and CEO until a successor is named. Mr. Kauffman is also expected to continue as a member of the MDC Board of Directors for the remainder of his current term.

On September 20, 2018, the Company announced its intention to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives, which may result in, among other things, the possible sale of the Company. The Company has not made a decision to pursue any specific strategic alternative, and there is no timetable for completing the strategic review process. This review process is proceeding in parallel with the Company’s search to identify a successor CEO. There can be no assurance that the Company will complete any specific action or transaction.