CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenue:
Services	$ 317,719	$ 287,499	$ 610,288	$ 553,135
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services sold	200,182	189,677	391,875	367,535
Office and general expenses	78,558	60,845	156,732	128,205
Depreciation and amortization	10,730	9,488	22,025	18,967
Costs and Expenses, Total	289,470	260,010	570,632	514,707
Operating profit	28,249	27,489	39,656	38,428
Other Income (Expense):
Other, net	7,302	(2,880)	765	(191)
Interest expense and finance charges	(13,882)	(10,375)	(26,636)	(22,803)
Loss on redemption of notes	0	0	0	(55,588)
Interest income	1	62	110	165
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(6,579)	(13,193)	(25,761)	(78,417)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in non-consolidated affiliates	21,670	14,296	13,895	(39,989)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,378	1,727	3,044	(12,523)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in non-consolidated affiliates	18,292	12,569	10,851	(27,466)
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates	79	82	142	123
Income (loss) from continuing operations	18,371	12,651	10,993	(27,343)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc., net of taxes	(152)	(1,321)	(258)	(3,503)
Net income (loss)	18,219	11,330	10,735	(30,846)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,749)	(1,514)	(3,111)	(2,496)
Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	16,470	9,816	7,624	(33,342)
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.34	$ 0.24	$ 0.16	$ (0.64)
Discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)
Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.34	$ 0.21	$ 0.15	$ (0.71)
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.22	$ 0.16	$ (0.64)
Discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.03)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)
Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.19	$ 0.15	$ (0.71)
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic (USD per share)	49,546,062	47,098,392	49,442,770	46,975,299
Diluted (USD per share)	50,195,321	51,174,437	50,106,545	46,975,299
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Cost of services sold	2,227	2,117	4,754	3,296
Office and general expenses	2,201	2,637	4,042	5,959
Total	$ 4,428	$ 4,754	$ 8,796	$ 9,255