Loss Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 2,427	$ 31,072	$ (20,007)	$ 7,655
Numerator
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,254)	(2,841)	(2,113)	(5,221)	$ (9,054)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	1,173	28,231	(22,120)	2,434
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0	0	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent, Diluted	$ 1,173	$ 28,231	$ (22,120)	$ 2,434
Denominator
Denominator for basic loss per common share - weighted average common shares	50,322,757	49,859,300	50,162,654	49,807,419
Effect of dilutive securities	380,791	540,636	0	557,700
Denominator for diluted loss per common share - adjusted weighted shares and assumed conversions	50,703,548	50,399,936	50,162,654	50,365,119
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.57	$ (0.44)	$ 0.05
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders (usd per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.56	$ (0.44)	$ 0.05