Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 19, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	MDC PARTNERS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000876883
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Type	10-Q
Entity Small Business	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		71,943,944
Common Class B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,749
Convertible Preferred Stock | Series 4 Convertible Preferred Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		145,000