Loss Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerator
Numerator for basic loss per common share - loss from continuing operations	$ (7,378)	$ (39,994)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,362)	(982)
Loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders from continuing operations	(8,740)	(40,976)
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0
Numerator for diluted loss per common share - loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders from continuing operations	$ (8,740)	$ (40,976)
Denominator
Denominator for basic loss per common share - adjusted weighted shares (in shares)	49,338,332	46,850,840
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	0
Denominator for diluted loss per common share - adjusted weighted shares (in shares)	49,338,332	46,850,840
Basic and diluted loss per common share from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.87)

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Amount of increase (decrease) to net income used for calculating diluted earnings per share (EPS), resulting from the assumed exercise stock options, restrictive stock units (RSUs), convertible preferred stock of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and other dilutive convertible securities.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each basic and diluted share of common stock or unit when the per share amount is the same for both basic and diluted shares.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent, and includes adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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