Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue	$ 294	$ 5,212	$ 1,604	$ 17,757
Operating loss	(981)	(1,518)	(2,947)	(6,949)
Other expense	(17)	(83)	(123)	(203)
Noncontrolling interest expense (recovery)	0	249	(53)	1,210
Loss on disposal	(6,448)	0	(7,918)	0
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc., net of taxes	$ (7,446)	$ (1,352)	$ (11,041)	$ (5,942)

Amount of gain (loss), after tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

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Amount of operating income or loss attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period.

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Amount of other expense attributable to disposal group.

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Amount of sales or other form of revenues attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period.

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Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items, which is apportioned to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This item includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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