CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (20,007)	$ 2,690
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc., net of taxes	0	(4,965)
Loss from continuing operations	(20,007)	7,655
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	10,215	9,759
Depreciation	10,146	9,042
Amortization of intangibles	12,510	17,265
Amortization of deferred finance charges and debt discount	7,999	1,135
Adjustment to deferred acquisition consideration	6,180	(9,563)
Deferred income tax	986	385
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	285	0
Earnings of non-consolidated affiliates	61	(455)
Other non-current assets and liabilities	3,519	4,042
Foreign exchange	(17,245)	12,274
Changes in working capital:
Accounts receivable	(60,217)	(58,373)
Expenditures billable to clients	(7,696)	(6,415)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(14,957)	(10,862)
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	(137,328)	79,539
Advance billings	40,179	14,050
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	(138,497)	69,478
Discontinued operations	0	(995)
Net cash used in operating activities	(138,497)	68,483
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(13,448)	(9,504)
Deposits To Acquire Property Plant and Equipment	0	(3,222)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(2,216)	(21,027)
Proceeds from sale of assets	212	8
Other investments	(1,317)	(4,708)
Distributions from non-consolidated affiliates	7	2,380
Cash flows used in continuing investing activities	(16,762)	(36,073)
Discontinued operations	0	18,070
Net cash used in investing activities	(16,762)	(18,003)
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
Payments for (Proceeds from) Previous Acquisition	114,140	107,042
Repayment of long-term debt	(272)	(269)
Purchase of shares	(2,474)	(1,497)
Premium Paid On Redemption Of Notes	26,873	0
Payments of Financing Costs	20,329	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(5,413)	(6,971)
Cash overdrafts	28,300	7,829
Payment of dividends	(21,525)	(21,155)
Cash flows provided by continuing financing activities	109,672	(129,105)
Discontinued operations	0	(40)
Net cash provided by financing activities	109,672	(129,145)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	191	168
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(45,396)	(78,497)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	61,458	113,348
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	16,062	34,851
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash income taxes paid	807	715
Cash interest paid	30,600	25,768
Change in assets held-in-trust	223	199,678
Non-cash transactions:
Capital leases	0	42
Dividends payable	966	1,504
Six Point Seven Five Percentage Notes [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to cash used in operating activities:
Loss on redemption of notes	26,873	0
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	900,000	0
Repayments of Senior Debt	735,000	0
Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
Repayments of Lines of Credit	(791,808)	(346,611)
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	$ 899,206	$ 346,611