CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue:
Services	$ 326,890	$ 288,670	$ 937,178	$ 841,805
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services sold	216,505	189,204	608,380	556,739
Office and general expenses	77,811	88,828	234,543	217,033
Depreciation and amortization	12,480	9,462	34,505	28,429
Costs and Expenses, Total	306,796	287,494	877,428	802,201
Operating profit	20,094	1,176	59,750	39,604
Other Income (Expense):
Other, net	(9,659)	1,736	(8,894)	1,545
Interest expense and finance charges	(14,019)	(10,589)	(40,655)	(33,392)
Loss on redemption of notes	0	0	0	(55,588)
Interest income	43	37	153	202
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(23,635)	(8,816)	(49,396)	(87,233)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in non-consolidated affiliates	(3,541)	(7,640)	10,354	(47,629)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(263)	4,334	2,781	(8,189)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in non-consolidated affiliates	(3,278)	(11,974)	7,573	(39,440)
Equity in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates	81	73	223	196
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(3,197)	(11,901)	7,796	(39,244)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc., net of taxes	(40)	(7,388)	(298)	(10,891)
Net income (loss)	(3,237)	(19,289)	7,498	(50,135)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,685)	(1,911)	(4,796)	(4,407)
Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	(4,922)	(21,200)	2,702	(54,542)
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.29)	$ 0.06	$ (0.93)
Discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.16)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.23)
Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.05	$ (1.16)
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.29)	$ 0.06	$ (0.93)
Discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.16)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.23)
Net income (loss) attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.05	$ (1.16)
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic (USD per share)	49,630,532	47,205,699	49,506,427	47,052,944
Diluted (USD per share)	49,630,532	47,205,699	50,134,263	47,052,944
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Cost of services sold	1,516	1,656	6,270	4,952
Office and general expenses	1,921	25,779	5,963	31,738
Total	$ 3,437	$ 27,435	$ 12,233	$ 36,690