CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net loss $ (29,711) $ (7,484)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to MDC Partners Inc., net of taxes (6,294) (271)
Loss from continuing operations (23,417) (7,213)
Non-cash stock-based compensation 4,445 4,368
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to cash used in operating activities:    
Depreciation 4,537 3,943
Amortization of intangibles 7,763 6,581
Amortization of deferred finance charges and debt discount 1,494 577
Adjustment to deferred acquisition consideration 2,801 8,388
Deferred income benefit (3,929) (579)
Earnings of non-consolidated affiliates (351) (63)
Other non-current assets and liabilities 733 (12,188)
Foreign exchange 15,219 5,145
Changes in working capital:    
Accounts receivable (97,760) (55,245)
Expenditures billable to clients (5,721) (6,177)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (12,211) (9,458)
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities (42,651) (7,552)
Advance billings 30,496 29,424
Cash flows used in continuing operating activities (118,552) (40,049)
Discontinued operations (1,294) 746
Net cash used in operating activities (119,846) (39,303)
Cash flows used in investing activities:    
Capital expenditures (5,656) (2,496)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1,310) (39,951)
Proceeds from sale of assets 29 0
Other investments (2,318) (2,077)
Profit distributions from non-consolidated affiliates 342 281
Cash flows used in continuing investing activities (8,913) (44,243)
Discontinued operations (153) (500)
Net cash used in investing activities (9,066) (44,743)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:    
Proceeds of revolving credit agreement 19,602 32,292
Acquisition related payments (11,142) (10,715)
Repayment of long-term debt (126) (72)
Purchase of shares (876) (3,103)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests (2,839) (2,276)
Cash overdrafts 32,103 (6,853)
Payment of dividends (10,636) (9,724)
Cash flows provided by (used in) continuing financing activities 26,086 (451)
Discontinued operations (40) (40)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 26,046 (491)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 711 27
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (102,155) (84,510)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 119,767 102,007
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 17,612 17,497
Supplemental disclosures:    
Cash income taxes paid 540 83
Cash interest paid 367 334
Non-cash transactions:    
Capital leases 42 0
Dividends payable $ 1,384 $ 967