Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator
Numerator for basic loss per common share - loss from continuing operations	$ (40,617)	$ (23,692)
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(984)	(1,497)
Loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders from continuing operations	(41,601)	(25,189)
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0
Numerator for diluted loss per common share loss attributable to MDC Partners Inc. common shareholders from continuing operations	$ (41,601)	$ (25,189)
Denominator
Denominator for basic loss per common share adjusted weighted shares	31,233,893	29,889,932
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0
Denominator for diluted loss per common share - adjusted weighted shares	31,233,893	29,889,932
Basic loss per common share from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	$ (1.33)	$ (0.84)
Diluted loss per common share from continuing operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc.	$ (1.33)	$ (0.84)

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Includes adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent, and includes adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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