Acquisitions - Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent and Transfers (to) from Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ 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
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
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)
Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interests from Business Acquisitions									(51,488)	(17,831)	(4,939)
Change from net loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. and transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests									(80,137)	(33,049)	(137,789)
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interests from Business Acquisitions									$ (42,780)	$ (8,992)	$ 11,074