Loss Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator
Numerator for basic loss per common share - loss from continuing operations	$ (23,417)	$ (7,213)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(2,380)	(1,362)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders from continuing operations	(25,797)	(8,575)
Effect of dilutive securities	0us-gaap_DilutiveSecurities	0us-gaap_DilutiveSecurities
Numerator for diluted loss per common share - loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders from continuing operations	$ (25,797)	$ (8,575)
Denominator
Denominator for basic loss per common share - weighted average common shares	49,754,961	49,338,332
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0
Denominator for diluted loss per common share - adjusted weighted shares and assumed conversions	49,754,961	49,338,332
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.17)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.17)

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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 share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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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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