Quarterly Results of Operations - Schedule of Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 359,013	$ 328,415	$ 336,606	$ 302,222	$ 339,911	$ 309,391	$ 299,356	$ 274,854	$ 1,326,256	$ 1,223,512	$ 1,062,478
Cost of services sold	231,330	212,925	225,042	210,419	222,626	205,549	188,875	181,468	879,716	798,518	704,969
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(24,511)	(5,166)	31,072	(23,417)	(6,381)	(1,868)	19,555	(7,213)	(22,022)	4,093	(133,202)
Net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	$ (26,222)	$ (8,604)	$ 29,560	$ (32,091)	$ (26,759)	$ (4,922)	$ 16,470	$ (8,846)	$ (37,357)	$ (24,057)	$ (148,863)
Basic
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.15)	$ 0.57	$ (0.52)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.36	$ (0.17)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	(0.52)	(0.17)	0.60	(0.65)	(0.54)	(0.10)	0.33	(0.18)
Diluted
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.52)	(0.15)	0.56	(0.52)	(0.17)	(0.07)	0.35	(0.17)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.59	$ (0.65)	$ (0.54)	$ (0.10)	$ 0.32	$ (0.18)