CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock Common Class A	Common Stock Common Class B	Additional Paid-in Capital	Charges in Excess of Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Parent	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ (348,580)	$ 265,817	$ 1	$ 0	$ (209,668)	$ (489,633)	$ (7,752)	$ (441,235)	$ 92,655
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		49,680,108	3,754
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners	(32,091)	0	0	0	0	(32,091)	0	(32,091)	0
Other Comprehensive income (loss)	5,181	0	0	0	0	0	7,712	7,712	(2,531)
Issuance of restricted stock	0	3,880	0	(3,880)	0	0	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)		194,849	0
Shares acquired and cancelled	(876)	(876)	0	0	0	0	0	(876)	0
Shares acquired and cancelled (in shares)		(28,673)	0
Stock-based compensation	1,776	0	0	1,776	0	0	0	1,776	0
Changes in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(4,290)	0	0	(4,290)	0	0	0	(4,290)	0
Changes in noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interest from step-up transactions	(9,396)	0	0	(2,917)	0	0	0	(2,917)	(6,479)
Dividends paid and to be paid	(10,643)	0	0	(10,643)	0	0	0	(10,643)	0
Transfer to charges in excess of capital	0	0	0	19,954	(19,954)	0	0	0	0
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$ (398,919)	$ 268,821	$ 1	$ 0	$ (229,622)	$ (521,724)	$ (40)	$ (482,564)	$ 83,645
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		49,846,285	3,755