<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.7.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>157</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>289</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>58</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document And Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document And Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003501 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CondensedStatementsOfShareholdersDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Loss Per Common Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/LossPerCommonShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss Per Common Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Accruals and Other Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AccrualsAndOtherLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accruals and Other Liabilities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Other Income (Expense)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/OtherIncomeExpense</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income (Expense)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesAndGuarantees</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - New Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Share Capital</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/ShareCapital</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Capital</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2130100 - Disclosure - Convertible Preference Shares (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/ConvertiblePreferenceSharesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preference Shares (Notes)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Loss Per Common Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/LossPerCommonShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss Per Common Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/LossPerCommonShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/Acquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Accruals and Other Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AccrualsAndOtherLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accruals and Other Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AccrualsAndOtherLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/Debt</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Other Income (Expense) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/OtherIncomeExpenseTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income (Expense) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/OtherIncomeExpense</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Loss Per Common Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/LossPerCommonShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss Per Common Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/LossPerCommonShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Loss Per Common Share (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/LossPerCommonShareDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Loss Per Common Share (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/LossPerCommonShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AcquisitionsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Accruals and Other Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AccrualsAndOtherLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accruals and Other Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AccrualsAndOtherLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Accruals and Other Liabilities (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AccrualsAndOtherLiabilitiesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Accruals and Other Liabilities (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/AccrualsAndOtherLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/DebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Debt (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/DebtDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/DebtTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Other Income (Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/OtherIncomeExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Income (Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/OtherIncomeExpenseTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details 1)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails1</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details 1)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - Segment Information Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesAndGuaranteesDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesAndGuarantees</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413401 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events and Other (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/SubsequentEventsAndOtherDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events and Other (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423401 - Disclosure - Share Capital (Details Textual)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/ShareCapitalDetailsTextual</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Capital (Details Textual)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/ShareCapital</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdca-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2430402 - Disclosure - Convertible Preference Shares (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/ConvertiblePreferenceSharesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preference Shares (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.mdc-partners.com/role/ConvertiblePreferenceSharesNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>mdca-20170331.xml</File>
    <File>mdca-20170331.xsd</File>
    <File>mdca-20170331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>mdca-20170331_def.xml</File>
    <File>mdca-20170331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>mdca-20170331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
