UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

MDC PARTNERS INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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MDC PARTNERS INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT an annual meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of the shareholders of MDC Partners Inc. (“ MDC Partners ”, “ MDC ” or the “ Company ”) will be held at MDC Partners’ Innovation Centre, 745 Fifth Avenue (19 ^th Floor), New York, N.Y. on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) for the following purposes:

To elect the seven (7) director nominees of MDC Partners;

To appoint auditors and to authorize the Audit Committee to determine the auditors’ remuneration;

To hold a non-binding advisory vote to approve executive compensation;

To hold a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; and

To transact such further and other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

The accompanying Proxy Statement and Management Information Circular provide additional information to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting and is deemed to form part of this notice. Attendance and voting are limited to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 17, 2017. The proxy cut off may be waived or extended by the chairman of the Meeting without notice.

Shareholders who are unable to attend the Meeting in person, are asked to complete, date and sign the enclosed form of proxy and to return it promptly in the envelope provided.

Proxies to be used at the Meeting must be received by CST Trust Company, not later than 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 5, 2017 (or, if the Meeting is adjourned, not later than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, preceding the time of such adjourned Meeting). Proxies may be submitted by one of the following alternative methods:

By Internet :   www.cstvotemyproxy.com and enter the 13 digit control number printed on the form of proxy and follow the instructions on screen;
By Phone :   1-888-489-5760 (toll-free in North America) and enter the 13 digit control number printed on the form of proxy;
By Email :   proxy@canstockta.com;
By Fax :   416-368-2502 or 1-866-781-3111 (toll-free in North America); or
By Mail :  CST Trust Company, Attn. Proxy Department, P.O. Box 721, Agincourt, Ontario M1S 0A1.

If you have any questions or require any assistance with your vote, please contact our strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale Advisors at The Exchange Tower, 130 King Street West, Suite 2950, P.O. Box 361, Toronto, Ontario M5X 1E2, by toll-free telephone in North America at 1-866-228-8614 or by collect call outside North America at 416-867-2272 or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com

By Order of the Board of Directors

[GRAPHIC MISSING]
MITCHELL S. GENDEL
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

New York, N.Y.
April 27, 2017

MDC PARTNERS INC.

PROXY STATEMENT AND
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR

Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on June 7, 2017

GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

This Proxy Statement and Management Information Circular (this “Circular”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of MDC Partners Inc. (“MDC Partners,” “MDC” or the “Company”) for use at the annual meeting of shareholders of MDC Partners to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Such meeting is hereinafter referred to as the “ Meeting ”. The information contained in this Circular is given as of the date hereof, except as otherwise noted herein. The address of the principal executive office of MDC Partners is 745 Fifth Avenue, 19 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10151, and its registered address is 33 Draper Street, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2M3. This Circular, the accompanying notice and the enclosed form of proxy are expected to first be mailed to shareholders on or about Friday, April 28, 2017.

Management expects that proxies will be solicited primarily by mail. Employees of MDC Partners or persons retained by MDC Partners for that purpose may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone. Employees who help us in the solicitation will not be specially compensated for those services but they may be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation. If a holder holds his, her or its shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, see “Beneficial Owners” below.

The Company has entered into an agreement with Kingsdale Advisors for strategic shareholder advisory and proxy solicitation services in connection with this solicitation, for which Kingsdale will receive a fee up to $48,400 together with reimbursement for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and will be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws. Kingsdale will solicit proxies from individuals, brokers, banks, bank nominees and other institutional holders.

MANNER IN WHICH PROXIES WILL BE VOTED

The shares represented by the accompanying form of proxy, if the same is properly executed in favor of Messrs. Kauffman and Gendel, the management nominees, and received at the offices of CST Trust Company, Attn: Proxy Department, P.O. Box 721, Agincourt, Ontario M1S 0A1 (the “ Transfer Agent ”) not later than 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 5, 2017 (or, if the Meeting is adjourned, not later than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, preceding the time of such adjourned Meeting), will be voted or withheld from voting at the Meeting and, subject to Section 152 of the Canada Business Corporations Act , where a choice is specified in respect of any matter to be acted upon, will be voted in accordance with the specifications made. The proxy cut off time may be waived or extended by the Chairman of the Meeting without notice. In the absence of such a specification, to the extent permitted, such shares will be voted (i) FOR the election of each of the seven (7) nominees for the Board of Directors of MDC Partners named in this proxy statement; (ii) FOR the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as auditors of MDC Partners and to authorize the Audit Committee to fix their remuneration; (iii) FOR every ONE YEAR, on an advisory basis, with respect to how frequently a non-binding shareholder vote to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers should occur; and (iv) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. The accompanying form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. At the date hereof, management knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters.

At any meeting of shareholders (including the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders), a quorum for the transaction of business will be not less than 33 1/3% of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, represented either in person or by proxy. Only a shareholder of record at the close of business on April 17, 2017 (the “ record date ”) will be entitled to vote, or grant proxies to vote, his or her Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (“ Class A Shares ”) or Class B Shares at the Meeting (subject, in the case of voting by proxy, to the timely deposit of his or her executed form of proxy as described herein).

All matters are ordinary resolutions which must be passed by at least a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy who voted in respect of the ordinary resolution at the Meeting. Broker non-votes and abstentions are included in the calculation of the number of votes considered to be present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but otherwise will not affect the voting outcome of the proposals. An automated system administered by the Transfer Agent tabulates the votes.

ALTERNATE PROXY

Each shareholder has the right to appoint a person other than the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy, who need not be a shareholder, to attend and act for him or her and on his or her behalf at the Meeting. Any shareholder wishing to exercise such right may do so by inserting in the blank space provided in the accompanying form of proxy the name of the person whom such shareholder wishes to appoint as proxy and by duly depositing such proxy, or by duly completing and depositing another proper form of proxy and depositing the same with the Transfer Agent at the address and within the time specified under “Manner In Which Proxies Will Be Voted” above.

REVOCABILITY OF PROXY

A shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it. Such revocation may be made by the shareholder by duly executing another form of proxy bearing a later date and duly depositing the same before the specified time, or may be made by written instrument revoking such proxy executed by the shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a body corporate, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized, and deposited either at the corporate office of MDC Partners, 745 Fifth Avenue, 19 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10151, not later than 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, June 5, 2017 (or, if the Meeting is adjourned, not later than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, preceding the time of such adjourned Meeting), or with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. If such written instrument is deposited with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, such instrument will not be effective with respect to any matter on which a vote has already been cast pursuant to such proxy.

BENEFICIAL OWNERS

Most shareholders are “beneficial owners” who are non-registered shareholders. Their shares are registered in the name of an intermediary, such as a securities broker, financial institution, trustee, custodian or other nominee who holds the shares on their behalf, or in the name of a clearing agency in which the intermediary is a participant (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited). Intermediaries have obligations to forward meeting materials to the non-registered holders, unless otherwise instructed by the holder (and as required by regulation in some cases, despite such instructions).

Only registered shareholders or their duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Non-registered holders should follow the directions of their intermediaries with respect to the procedures to be followed for voting. Generally, intermediaries will provide non-registered holders with either: (a) a voting instruction form for completion and execution by the non-registered holder, or (b) a proxy form, executed by the intermediary and restricted to the number of shares owned by the non-registered holder, but otherwise uncompleted. These are procedures to permit the non-registered holders to direct the voting of the shares that they beneficially own.

If the non-registered holder wishes to attend and vote in person at the meeting, they must insert their own name in the space provided for the appointment of a proxyholder on the voting instruction form or proxy form provided by the intermediary, and carefully follow the intermediary’s instructions for return of the executed form or other method of response.

If the non-registered shareholder does not provide voting instructions to its intermediary, the shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the intermediary does not have discretionary authority to vote. Under current rules, certain intermediaries may not have discretionary authority to vote shares at the Meeting on the proposal relating to the election of directors or the advisory vote on executive compensation. We encourage all non-registered shareholders to provide instructions to the securities broker, financial institution, trustee, custodian or other nominee who holds the shares on their behalf by carefully following the instructions provided.

CURRENCY

Unless otherwise stated, all amounts reported in this Circular are in U.S. dollars. Canadian dollar amounts have been translated to U.S. dollars at the following rates:


	2015		2016		2017
As at December 31 ^st		1.3840		1.3427		—
As at March 31 ^st		1.2666		1.2987		1.3337
Average for year ended December 31 ^st		1.2788		1.3256		—

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL AND VOTING SHARES

The authorized capital of MDC Partners consists of an unlimited number of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (the “ Class A Shares ”); an unlimited number of Class B Shares (the “ Class B Shares ”) (the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares are herein referred to collectively as the “ shares ”); and an unlimited number of non-voting Preference Shares, issuable in series, in an unlimited number of which 5,000 Series 1 Preference Shares, 700,000 Series 2 Preference Shares, an unlimited number of Series 3 Preference Shares, 95,000 Series 4 Preference Shares, and an unlimited number of Series 5 Preference Shares, have been designated. As at April 17, 2017, MDC Partners had outstanding 56,866,241 Class A Shares (including restricted stock awards), 3,755 Class B Shares, no Series 1 Preference Shares, no Series 2 Preference Shares, no Series 3 Preference Shares and 95,000 Series 4 Preference Shares.

The Series 4 Preference Shares do not entitle their holders to vote in the election of directors and, other than as required by applicable law, holders of the Series 4 Preference Shares will not have voting rights. The holders of the Series 4 Preference Shares have the right to convert the Series 4 Preference Shares at any time and from time to time into a number of Class A Shares equal to the then-applicable liquidation preference divided by the applicable conversion price at such time (the “ Conversion Price ”). The initial liquidation preference of each Series 4 Preference Share will be $1,000, subject to an 8% accretion, compounded quarterly until March 7, 2022. The initial Conversion Price is $10.00 per Series 4 Preference Share, subject to customary anti-dilution protection. The Series 4 Preference Shares are also convertible at the Company’s option (i) on and after March 7, 2019, if the closing trading price of the Class A Shares over a specified period prior to conversion is at least 125% of the then-applicable Conversion Price or (ii) after March 7, 2022, if the closing trading price of the Class A Shares over a specified period prior to conversion is at least equal to the then-applicable Conversion Price.

The holders of the Class A Shares are entitled to one vote in respect of each Class A Share held in connection with each matter to be acted upon at the Meeting, the holders of the Class B Shares are entitled to twenty votes in respect of each Class B Share held in connection with each matter to be acted upon at the Meeting and the holders of the Series 4 Preference Shares are not entitled to vote in connection with the matters to be acted upon at the Meeting. Approximately 99.9% of the aggregate voting rights attached to the issued and outstanding shares of MDC Partners are represented by the Class A Shares. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not permitted.

The articles of MDC Partners contain provisions providing that, in the event an offer is made to purchase Class B Shares which must, by reason of applicable securities legislation or the requirements of a stock exchange on which the Class B Shares are listed, be made to all or substantially all of the Class B Shares, and which offer is not made on identical terms, as to price per share and percentage of outstanding shares, to purchase the Class A Shares, the holders of Class A Shares shall have the right to convert such shares into Class B Shares in certain specified instances.

To the knowledge of the directors and officers of MDC Partners, and excluding the Series 4 Preference Shares, no person (or group of persons) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, voting securities of MDC Partners representing more than 5% of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of MDC Partners other than: FMR LLC; Invesco Ltd.; Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC; and Boston Partners. See “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners” below for details of shares beneficially owned by these persons and entities.

EXPENSES

MDC Partners will pay all of the expenses of soliciting proxies for management. In addition to the mailing of the proxy material, such solicitation may be made in person or by telephone by directors, officers and employees of MDC Partners, whose directors, officers and employees will receive no compensation for such solicitation other than their regular salaries or fees. MDC Partners has retained CST Trust Company and Kingsdale to aid in the solicitation of proxies. MDC Partners expects the additional expense of that assistance to be approximately $48,400 in the aggregate. MDC Partners also will make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxy materials to beneficial owners. MDC Partners will, upon request, reimburse these institutions for their reasonable charges and expenses incurred in forwarding this proxy material to beneficial owners of shares.

PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

ITEM 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The following seven (7) directors are to be elected to the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) at the Meeting. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until his successor is duly elected or appointed, unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the by-laws of MDC Partners. Management does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director but, if that should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy reserve the right to vote for another nominee in their discretion. Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the accompanying proxy (provided the same is duly executed in their favor and is duly deposited) intend to vote FOR the election of the nominees whose names are set forth below.

With the exception of Mr. Kauffman and Mr. Gross, the Board has determined that all of the nominees are independent under applicable NASDAQ rules and the Board’s governance principles, and are independent under applicable Canadian securities laws. In addition, pursuant to applicable requirements of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “ CBCA ”), MDC Partners is required to have at least 25% resident Canadian directors. Ms. O’Donovan, Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Copeland are resident Canadians.

Information Concerning Nominees for Election as Directors

MDC Partners believes that each nominee for election as director possesses the personal and professional qualifications necessary to serve as a member of the Board, including the particular experience, talent, expertise and background set forth below. The following information relating to the nominees as directors, including their principal occupations and positions for the past five years and in certain cases prior years, is based partly on MDC Partners’ records and partly on information received by MDC Partners from such persons and is given as of April 17, 2017:

Scott L. Kauffman , age 61, has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“ CEO ”) of the Company since July 20, 2015. He is also currently the Chairman of two venture-backed internet companies. From April 2013 to May 2014, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of New Engineering University, a new university system designed to educate the next generation of world-class engineers. From April 2011 to January 2013, Mr. Kauffman was a member of the board of directors and then Chairman of LookSmart, Ltd, a publicly-traded, syndicated pay-per-click search network. From January 2009 to August 2010, Mr. Kauffman was President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the board of directors, of GeekNet, Inc., a publicly-traded open source software application developer and e-commerce website operator. From September 2006 until its acquisition by Yahoo! in October 2007, Mr. Kauffman was President and Chief Operating Officer, and a member of the board of directors, of BlueLithium, Inc., an internet advertising network and performance marketing company. Prior to joining BlueLithium, Mr. Kauffman was President and CEO, and a member of the board of directors, of several early stage companies, including Zinio Systems, Inc., MusicNow LLC and Coremetrics Inc., where he continued to serve as a board member until the company was acquired by IBM in July 2010. Mr. Kauffman has served in senior and executive management capacities with other digital entertainment, consumer marketing, media and technology companies, including CompuServe and Time Warner.

In 1996, Advertising Age named Mr. Kauffman one of twenty digital media masters, and in 1992, Advertising Age named him one of the top 100 marketers in the country. Mr. Kauffman brings extensive media and marketing experience to the Board and has a long history of leading complex entrepreneurial companies at the crossroads of advertising, technology and data. Mr. Kauffman has been a member of the MDC Partners board of directors since his appointment on April 28, 2006. He currently serves as MDC’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he assumed on July 20, 2015, and as a member of the Special Committee. Mr. Kauffman is a resident of Palo Alto, California, and maintains a part-time residence in New York, New York.

Clare R. Copeland , age 81, is Vice Chairman of Falls Management Company, a commercial development and casino operator in Niagara Falls, Ontario, a position he has held since January 15, 2015, following his tenure as Chief Executive Officer since November 2004. Previously, Mr. Copeland was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OSF Inc., a manufacturer of retail store interiors and Chief Executive Officer of People’s Jewelers Corporation, a jewelry retailer. He was also Chairman of Toronto Hydro from 1999 to 2013, and was a director of Danier Leather Inc. from 1998 until November 9, 2015. In addition, Mr. Copeland is a member of the board of directors of Chesswood, and is a member of the board of trustees of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Telesat. Mr. Copeland brings extensive experience in management and oversight to the Board. Mr. Copeland has been a member of the MDC Partners board of directors since June 30, 2007. He is currently Chairman of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee. Mr. Copeland resides in Toronto, Ontario.

Daniel S. Goldberg , age 52, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Telesat, a Canadian satellite communications company, a position he has held since 2006. Prior to joining Telesat, Mr. Goldberg served as Chief Executive Officer of SES New Skies and as a member of the SES Executive Committee, and earlier New Skies positions include Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. Before joining New Skies, Mr. Goldberg served as Associate General Counsel and Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs at PanAmSat. Mr. Goldberg is a seasoned executive, bringing to the board global operations expertise and a track record of achieving industry-leading growth and significant equity value creation. He has been a member of the MDC Partners board of directors since his appointment on July 1, 2016. He is currently a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Goldberg resides in Ottawa, Ontario.

Bradley J. Gross, age 44, is a Managing Director in the Merchant Banking Division (“ MBD ”) of Goldman, Sachs & Co., a position he has held since 2007. Mr. Gross is focused on US technology, media and telecom investing and serves as a member of the MBD Corporate Investment Committee and MBD Risk Committee. Mr. Gross joined Goldman Sachs in 1995 and rejoined the firm after completing business school in 2000. He became a vice president in 2003 and was named managing director in 2007. Mr. Gross serves on the boards of Americold Realty Trust, the global leader in refrigerated warehouse logistics, Griffon Corporation, a holding company with subsidiaries in building products, specialty plastics and defense electronics, Neovia Logistics Holdings, a provider of logistics solutions, PSAV Holdings, a hospitality industry technology provider and Proquest Holdings, a leading information services business serving the higher education market. Mr. Gross brings to the board an exceptional track record and important expertise to our continued pursuit of maximizing long-term shareholder value. He has been a member of the MDC Partners board of directors since his appointment on March 7, 2017. Mr. Gross resides in New York, New York. Mr. Gross was nominated by Goldman Sachs pursuant to its rights as the purchaser of the Series 4 Preference Shares.

Lawrence S. Kramer , age 67, was the founder, Chairman and CEO of MarketWatch Inc., an operator of financial information websites, is past President and Publisher of USA Today, a nationwide newspaper company, and past President of CBS Digital Media, the digital media division of the CBS broadcasting network. Mr. Kramer currently serves as Chairman of TheStreet, Inc., a digital financial media company. He is also a member of the board of directors of Gannett, a news and media company, and a member of the boards of trustees at both Syracuse University and Harvard Business School Publishing. He also served on the board of directors for Discovery Communications from 2008 to 2012. He has been one of the pioneers in digital media since the beginning of the internet, with decades of leadership experience as an executive and board member of private and public companies. He brings to the Board extensive experience in building consumer media brands that leverage emerging digital technology and in helping established media properties navigate the shifting consumer landscape. Spencer Stuart, a leadership consulting firm that was engaged by the MDC Partners board of directors in 2016 to complete an extensive director search, recommended Mr. Kramer to the board. Mr. Kramer’s leadership at both financial and media related companies facilitated the determination that he should be nominated to the MDC Partners board of directors. Mr. Kramer has been a member of the MDC Partners board of directors since his appointment on March 1, 2016. He is currently a member of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee. Mr. Kramer resides in New York, New York.

Anne Marie O’Donovan , age 58, is an experienced strategic senior executive, public company board member, and CPA, with over 30 years of Canadian and global financial services industry expertise. Ms. O’Donovan currently serves as a Corporate Director and President of O’Donovan Advisory Services Ltd., a financial advisory company. She is a member of the board of directors of Indigo Books & Music, a Canadian bookstore company, Aviva Canada, a leading property and casualty insurance group, and Cadillac Fairview, an owner/operator/developer of office, retail and mixed-use properties. Most recently she served as Executive Vice President at Scotiabank, where she was Chief Administrative Officer for Global Banking and Markets division. Prior to that Ms. O’Donovan had a long, distinguished career at Ernst & Young, a professional services and accounting firm, as Partner. She holds an HBA degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. Spencer Stuart, a leadership consulting firm that was engaged by the MDC Partners’ board of directors in 2016 to complete an extensive director search, recommended Ms. O’Donovan to the board. Ms. O’Donovan brings to the board an in-depth knowledge in the areas of executive leadership, risk management, regulatory, governance, financial management, technology, operations and internal audit, as well as relevant experience working with international teams across Europe, Asia and Latin America. Such knowledge, gleaned through experience at accounting and financial advisory firms, facilitated the determination that Ms. O’Donovan should be nominated to the MDC Partners board of directors. Ms. O’Donovan has been a member of the MDC Partners board of directors since her appointment on March 1, 2016. She is currently Chair of the Audit Committee, and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. O’Donovan resides in Oakville, Ontario.

Irwin D. Simon , age 58, is the founder of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a leading organic and natural products company and a Nasdaq listed corporation, and has been its President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors since its inception in 1993. In addition, Mr. Simon has served as Chairman of the board of directors of Hain Celestial since 2000. Mr. Simon also served as a member of the board of directors of Jarden Corporation, a consumer products company from June 2002 until April 14, 2016. Mr. Simon has been a member of the MDC Partners board of directors since his appointment on April 25, 2013, and currently serves as Presiding Director. He is also currently the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee and the Special Committee. Mr. Simon brings to the Board unique perspectives on aspects of advertising and marketing services, as well as extensive operational and entrepreneurial experience. In addition, Mr. Simon possesses a great depth of knowledge and experience regarding the consumer packaged goods industry and related marketing services that are provided by the Company’s partner firms. Mr. Simon resides in New York, New York.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” ELECTION OF THE PROPOSED DIRECTORS.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Class A Shares of MDC outstanding as of April 17, 2017 by each beneficial owner of more than five percent of such shares, by each of the directors and named executive officers of MDC and the current nominees for Board election and by all current directors and executive officers of MDC as a group.


			Number of Voting Shares Beneficially Owned, or Over Which Control or Direction is Exercised ⁽¹⁾									Approximate Percentage of Class ⁽⁵⁾
Name	Type of Shareholding		Class A Subordinate Voting Shares ⁽²⁾			Class A Shares Underlying Options, Warrants or Similar Right Exercisable Currently or Within 60 Days ⁽³⁾			Class A Shares Underlying All Options, Warrants or Similar Right ⁽⁴⁾			Class A Shares
Scott L. Kauffman		Direct		670,984	⁽⁶⁾		—			—			1.2	%
Clare R. Copeland		Direct		80,514	⁽⁷⁾		37,500			37,500				*
Daniel S. Goldberg		Direct		171,000	⁽⁶⁾		—			—				*
Bradley J. Gross		Direct		—			—			—				*
Larry S. Kramer		Direct		21,000	⁽⁶⁾		—			—				*
		Indirect		30,000	⁽⁶⁾		—			—				*
Anne Marie O’Donovan		Direct		21,000	⁽⁷⁾		—			—				*
Irwin D. Simon		Direct		46,570	⁽⁶⁾		—			—				*
David Doft		Direct		270,964	⁽⁶⁾		—			50,000				*
		Indirect		1,500	⁽⁶⁾		—			—				*
Mitchell Gendel		Direct		274,668	⁽⁶⁾		—			50,000				*
Robert Kantor		Direct		181,836	⁽⁶⁾		—			43,000				*
David Ross		Direct		135,000	⁽⁶⁾		—			43,000				*
All directors and officers of MDC as a group of 11 persons				1,905,036	⁽⁶⁾ ⁽⁷⁾		37,500			200,700			3.4	%
Goldman Sachs ⁽⁸⁾				12,890	⁽⁹⁾		9,500,000	⁽⁹⁾		9,500,000	⁽⁹⁾		14.3	% ⁽⁹⁾
FMR LLC ⁽⁸⁾				7,874,021			—			—			13.8	%
Invesco Ltd. ⁽⁸⁾				4,810,755			—			—			8.5	%
Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC ⁽⁸⁾				4,017,180	⁽¹⁰⁾		—			—			7.1	%
Boston Partners ⁽⁸⁾				2,781,142	⁽¹¹⁾		—			—			4.9	%

The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed one percent of the outstanding shares.

(1)

Unless otherwise noted, MDC Partners believes that all persons named in the table above have sole voting power and dispositive power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by them.

(2)

This column includes Class A Shares owned directly or indirectly, but does not include Class A Shares subject to options, warrants or similar rights.

(3)

This column includes Class A Shares subject to options, warrants or similar rights that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after April 17, 2017.

(4)

This column includes Class A Shares subject to all outstanding options, stock appreciate rights, warrants or similar rights, whether or not such options, warrants or similar rights are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after April 17, 2017.

(5)

For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group named above, any shares which that person or persons has or have the right to acquire within 60 days of April 17, 2017, is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Those Class A Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series 4 Convertible Preference Shares are also not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

(6)

Includes shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested, but with respect to which the executive has the ability to vote.

(7)

Includes restricted stock units (that may be settled in shares) that have not yet vested, but with respect to which the executive has the ability to vote.

(8)

Stock ownership of these entities is based solely on a Schedule 13F, 13G or 13G/A filed by each such entity. The address of each of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C., StoneBridge 2017, L.P., StoneBridge 2017 Offshore, L.P., and Bridge Street Opportunity Advisors, L.L.C. (collectively, “Goldman Sachs”) is 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, and Goldman Sachs’ most recent Schedule 13G/A, filed on behalf of itself and the members of the group, was filed on March 28, 2017. The address of FMR LLC is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, and its most recent Schedule 13G/A was filed on February 14, 2017. The address of Invesco Ltd. is 1555 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1800, Atlanta, GA 30309, and its most recent Schedule 13G/A was filed on February 8, 2017. The address of Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC is 725 S. Figueroa Street, 39 ^th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017, and its most recent Schedule 13G was filed on February 10, 2017. The address of Boston Partners is Once Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108, and its most recent Schedule 13G/A was filed on February 10, 2017.

(9)

The Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on March 28, 2017 by Goldman Sachs reports that the number of shares to which The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. have the shared power to vote or to direct the vote is 9,512,890 and the number of shares to which The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. have the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition is 9,512,890 shares. The number of shares to which Goldman Sachs has the shared power to vote and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition is 9,500,000. This report reflects 12,890 Class A Shares beneficially owned by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co., as well as an additional 9,500,000 Class A Shares issuable upon the conversion of 95,000 Series 4 Convertible Preference Shares of the Company also owned by Goldman Sachs.

(10)

The Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017 by Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC reports the number of shares as to which the holder has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote is 3,244,200 and the number of shares as to which the holder has the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition is 4,017,180 shares. The address of Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC is 725 S. Figueroa Street, 39 ^th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

(11)

The Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017 by Boston Partners reports the number of shares as to which the holder has the sole power to vote or to direct the vote is 1,633,820 and the number of shares to which the holder has the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition is 2,781,142 shares. The address of Boston Partners is Once Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108.

Information about the Board and Corporate Governance

The Board oversees the management of the business and affairs of MDC Partners as required by Canadian law. The Board conducts its business through meetings of the Board and three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Human Resources & Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The Board has established guidelines for determining director independence, and all current directors, with the exception of Mr. Kauffman and Mr. Gross, have been determined by the Board to be independent under applicable NASDAQ rules and the Board’s governance principles, and applicable Canadian securities laws within the meaning of National Instrument 58-101 — Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices.

MDC Partners has also adopted a written Code of Conduct (as amended in November 2016) in order to help directors, officers and employees resolve ethical issues in an increasingly complex business environment. The Code of Conduct applies to all directors, officers and employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the General Counsel and any other employee with any responsibility for the preparation and filing of documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Code of Conduct covers topics including, but not limited to, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of information and compliance with laws. The Code of Conduct also satisfies the requirements for a code of ethics, as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K promulgated by SEC. In addition, the Board of MDC Partners adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines as a framework within which the Board and its committees conduct business.

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines contain a majority vote provision, which requires a director nominee who receives, in an uncontested election, a number of votes “withheld” that is greater than the number of votes cast “for” his or her election to promptly offer to resign from the Board. The Board shall accept the resignation absent exceptional circumstances. Unless the Board decides to reject the offer, the resignation shall become effective 60 days after the date of the election. In making a determination whether to reject the offer or postpone the effective date, the Board of Directors shall consider all factors it considers relevant to the best interests of the Company. A director who tenders a resignation pursuant to this Policy will not participate in any meeting of the Board at which the resignation is considered. The Company will promptly issue a news release with the Board’s decision.

Copies of the charters of the Audit Committee, the Human Resources & Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well the Code of Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines, are available free of charge at MDC Partners’ website located at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#investors/corporate-governance . Copies of these documents are also available in print to any shareholder upon written request to 745 Fifth Avenue, 19 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10151, Attention: Investor Relations.

Meetings

The Board held thirteen (13) meetings in 2016. All current members of the Board who served as directors during 2016 attended each Board meeting during the period in which they served in 2016.

The various Board committees met the number of times shown in parentheses: Audit Committee (5); Human Resources & Compensation Committee (6); and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee (1). Each incumbent director that served as a director during 2016 attended all meetings of all Board committees on which they served during such period. MDC has a formal policy regarding attendance by directors at its annual general meetings of shareholders which states that all directors are expected to attend, provided that a director who is unable to attend such a meeting is expected to notify the Chairman of the Board in advance of any such meeting. All five (5) members of the Board that served as directors during 2016 attended the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.

Committees of the Board

The Board currently has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Human Resources & Compensation Committee and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. In December 2014, the Board also formed the Special Committee, composed of Scott Kauffman and Irwin Simon, to oversee the production of documents and review issues related to the SEC investigation. The terms of reference and mandate for each committee of the Board are summarized below.

Membership on Standing Board Committees

Director	Audit Committee	Human Resources and Compensation Committee	Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Irwin D. Simon Presiding Director		ü	Chair
Clare R. Copeland		Chair
Daniel S. Goldberg	ü		ü
Bradley J. Gross
Larry S. Kramer	ü	ü
Anne Marie O’Donovan	Chair		ü
Scott L. Kauffman

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is currently composed of three members, all of whom are considered to be “independent” according to the applicable rules of NASDAQ, the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian laws. The Audit Committee reviews all financial statements, annual and interim, intended for circulation to shareholders and reports upon these to the Board. In addition, the Board may refer to the Audit Committee on matters and questions relating to the financial position of MDC Partners and its affiliates. The Audit Committee is also responsible for overseeing and reviewing with management and the independent auditor the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s accounting and internal control policies and procedures; risk oversight matters; reviewing with management its compliance with prescribed policies, procedures and internal controls; and reviewing with management and the independent auditor any reportable conditions affecting internal controls, as more fully disclosed in Item 9A (Controls and Procedures) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. While the Audit Committee has the duties and responsibilities set forth above, the Audit Committee is not responsible for planning or conducting the audit or for determining whether the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management has the responsibility for preparing the financial statements and implementing internal controls and the independent auditor has the responsibility of auditing the financial statements.

As of April 17, 2017, the current members of the Audit Committee are: Anne Marie O’Donovan (Chairperson), Daniel Goldberg and Larry Kramer. The Board has determined that Ms. O’Donovan qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and applicable NASDAQ and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. In addition, each of the members of the Audit Committee is “financially literate” as required by applicable Canadian securities laws. The Audit Committee’s current charter is appended hereto as Exhibit A and is available at http://www.mdc-partners.com .

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is composed of three (3) members, all of whom are considered to be “independent” according to the applicable rules of NASDAQ and the Securities and Exchange Commission and by applicable Canadian securities laws. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board with respect to developments in the area of corporate governance and the practices of the Board. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the Board as a whole and for reporting to the Board with respect to appropriate candidates for nominations to the Board. The current members of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee are: Irwin Simon (Chairman), Daniel Goldberg and Anne Marie O’Donovan. The Committee’s current charter is available at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#investors/corporate-governance. The Company will disclose any amendments to, or waivers of, the charter on its website at www.mdc-partners.com in accordance with applicable law and the requirements of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards.

Human Resources & Compensation Committee

As of April 17, 2017, the current members of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee (the “ Compensation Committe e”) are: Clare Copeland (Chairman), Larry Kramer and Irwin Simon. All of the members of the Compensation Committee are considered to be “independent” according to the applicable rules of NASDAQ and the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian securities laws, and outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and non-employee directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board on, among other things, the compensation of senior executives. The Compensation Committee discusses personnel and human resources matters including recruitment and development, management succession and benefits plans and grants awards under the SARs Plan, the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2008 Key Partners Incentive Plan (each as defined below). Salary, bonus or other payments for the benefit of senior management are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. From 2015 through 2017, the Compensation Committee engaged Mercer Human Resource Consulting LLC to review and evaluate the Company’s executive compensation levels, and to make recommendations for compensation of the Company’s executive officers based on comparable industry levels, which recommendations have been implemented by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee’s current charter is available at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#investors/corporate-governance. The

Company will disclose any amendments to the charter on its website at www.mdc-partners.com in accordance with applicable law and the requirements of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards.

Special Committee

The Special Committee is composed of two (2) members, Scott Kauffman and Irwin Simon. Mr. Simon is considered to be “independent” according to the applicable rules of Nasdaq; Mr. Kauffman was an independent director until his appointment as CEO of the Company on July 20, 2015. The Special Committee was formed in December 2014, for the purpose of overseeing the production of documents and to review issues relating to the Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, which is now completed and resolved.

Board Leadership, Executive Sessions and Communications with the Board

Presently, Mr. Kauffman, our Chief Executive Officer, is also the Chairman of the Board. The Board does not require the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer or President. All of the Company’s directors, whether members of management or not, have a fiduciary duty to exercise their business judgment in the best interests of the Company. The Board believes separating the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer or President would not diminish or augment these fiduciary duties. The Board deliberates and decides, each time it selects a Chairman of the Board, whether the roles should be combined or separate, based upon the then current needs of the Company and the Board. The Board believes that the Company is currently best served by having Mr. Kauffman hold each of these positions, and by having a separate independent director (currently Mr. Simon) serve as “ Presiding Director. ” In the Board’s view, the current leadership structure facilitates strong communication and coordination between management and the Board and enables the Board to adeptly fulfill its risk oversight responsibilities.

Non-employee directors frequently meet in executive sessions without management in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting. The Company’s Presiding Director has the primary responsibility to preside over these sessions of the Board. The current Presiding Director is Irwin Simon; he was appointed to that position effective July 20, 2015. Additional information about the role of the Presiding Director is set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available free of charge at MDC Partners’ website at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#investors/corporate-governance . Shareholders or other interested parties who wish to communicate with the Presiding Director or any other member of the Board may do so by mail or courier, to MDC Partners Inc., c/o Matt Chesler, VP, Investor Relations and Finance, 745 Fifth Avenue, 19 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10151. To facilitate a response, in appropriate circumstances, shareholders are asked to provide the following information: (i) their name; (ii) an address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address at which they can be reached; and (iii) the number of shares or aggregate principal amount of debt that they hold, and the date those securities were acquired.

Director Nominations

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies, selects and recommends to the Board individuals qualified to serve both on the Board and on Board committees, including persons suggested by shareholders and others. While the Board has not adopted a formal policy in regards to consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to maintain at all times a Board with a diverse range of experience, talent, expertise and background appropriate for the business of the Company. Beginning in 2016, Spencer Stuart, a leadership consulting firm, conducted an extensive search for qualified nominees, resulting in the recommendation of Ms. O’Donovan, Mr. Kramer and Mr. Goldberg. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not require any specific minimum qualifications or specific qualities or skills, but reviews each person’s qualifications on the whole, including a candidate’s particular experience, skills, expertise, diversity, personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, conflicts of interest and such other relevant factors that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board. Following that review, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then selects nominees and recommends them to the Board for election by the shareholders or appointment by the Board, as the case may be. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also reviews the suitability of each Board member for continued service as a director when that member’s term expires or that member experiences a significant change in status (for example, a change in

employment). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not implemented any particular additional policies or procedures with respect to suggestions received from shareholders with respect to Board or committee nominees.

Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may conduct or authorize investigations or studies into matters within its scope of responsibilities and may retain, at the Company’s expense, such independent counsel or other consultants or advisers as it may deem necessary from time to time. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the sole authority to retain or terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, including the sole authority to approve its fees and terms, with the Company bearing the cost of such fees.

In addition, Mr. Gross was nominated by Goldman Sachs pursuant to its rights in connection with the purchase of the Series 4 Preference Shares.

Compensation of Directors

MDC paid its directors who are not employees of MDC or any of its subsidiaries a $60,000 annual retainer in respect of 2016. MDC also pays a fee of $2,000 for attendance at any Board or Committee meeting. Fees for director attendance at meetings are limited to two meetings per day. MDC pays an additional retainer for certain positions held by a director: $75,000 for the Presiding Director, $20,000 for the Audit Committee Chair, $5,000 for the Audit Committee financial expert and $15,000 for other Committee Chairs. In addition, non-employee directors receive an annual grant of restricted stock with a grant date market value of approximately $100,000, vesting on the third anniversary of the grant date.

Employee directors are not entitled to any compensation in connection with their services on the Board. Mr. Gross, the nominee director of Goldman Sachs, also does not receive any compensation for his services on the Board.

The following table sets forth the compensation paid to or earned during fiscal year 2016 by our non-management directors:

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016


Non-Management Director	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)		Stock Awards ($)			Option Awards ($)			All Other Compensation ($)		Total ($)
Clare R. Copeland		121,500		89,500	⁽¹⁾		—	⁽²⁾		N/A		211,000
Daniel S. Goldberg		56,000		90,950	⁽¹⁾		—	⁽²⁾		N/A		146,950
Michael J.L. Kirby ⁽³⁾		58,000		89,500	⁽¹⁾		—	⁽²⁾		N/A		147,500
Larry S. Kramer		98,000		107,000	⁽¹⁾		—	⁽²⁾		N/A		205,000
Anne Marie O’Donovan		110,500		107,000	⁽¹⁾		—	⁽²⁾		N/A		217,500
Irwin D. Simon		210,000		89,500	⁽¹⁾		—	⁽²⁾		N/A		299,500

(1)

On February 17, 2016, Mr. Copeland, Mr. Kirby and Mr. Simon each received a grant of 5,000 restricted shares. On March 1, 2016, Mr. Kramer and Ms. O’Donovan each received a grant of 5,000 restricted shares. On July 28, 2016, Mr. Goldberg received a grant of 5,000 restricted shares. All six grants were awarded under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. The amount in this table reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of such grants as computed in accordance with FASB Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures during the applicable vesting period. For a discussion of the assumptions relating to these valuations, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Stock-Based Compensation” set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

(2)

During 2016, the Company did not grant any option awards to non-employee directors. Mr. Copeland was the only director holding previously granted options as of December 31, 2016 — 37,500 shares.

(3)

Mr. Kirby did not receive any director compensation from the Company following his retirement from the Company’s Board of Directors on June 1, 2016.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (or “ CD&A ”) section outlines our compensation philosophy and describes the material components of our executive compensation practices for Mr. Kauffman (our CEO), David Doft (our CFO) and our other named executive officers (or “ NEO s”).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2016, the Compensation Committee reaffirmed its commitment to adhere to our “pay-for-performance” requirements by not paying any performance bonus to the CEO or NEOs given the Company’s failure to achieve its 2016 financial performance targets.

Continued Improvements to Governance and Compensation Practices in Response to Shareholder Feedback:

Our annual “Say-on-Pay” advisory vote in 2016 improved substantially, as approximately 98% of votes cast were voted in favor of our executive compensation program, as compared to only 53% in respect of 2015.

In response to the disappointing 2015 voting results, management and the Board undertook a concentrated effort to focus on shareholder outreach and solicitation of feedback in 2015 and 2016. Based on shareholder feedback, and as part of the Company’s continuous efforts to implement executive compensation programs that align the interests of management with our shareholders, the Board adopted several governance and compensation-related changes in 2015 and 2016.

These governance and compensation initiatives followed several senior management changes, including the replacement of Miles Nadal as CEO following his resignation on July 20, 2015. In 2015, Mr. Nadal repaid the Company for improper expenses in an aggregate amount of $11.3 million. Mr. Nadal further agreed to repay the Company $10.6 million in respect of prior cash bonus awards that contained claw-back provisions.

In addition, MDC’s Board and management team implemented several governance and compensation-related remedial measures focused on improved internal controls and corporate governance initiatives. Each of the remedial measures and improved compensation practices summarized below, together with other initiatives adopted in 2015, were consistent with the changes suggested by our largest shareholders. Importantly, in November 2016, we announced that we fully settled the SEC investigation with no finding by the SEC of intentional wrongdoing by any current directors or officers, and we prevailed in having the U.S. securities class action litigation dismissed, with prejudice (each as described in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016).

•

Implementation of “Pay for Performance” Measures; No Incentive Awards Paid Given Failure to Achieve 2016 Performance Metrics. For 2016 incentive awards, the Compensation Committee affirmed its commitment to using “pay-for-performance” incentive arrangements based solely on the achievement of financial and individual performance targets. The Company failed to achieve the 2016 financial targets established by the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee determined to award $0 to the CEO and other NEOs in respect of their financial performance-based cash incentives.

•

Grants of Equity Awards with Vesting Based Solely on Financial Performance. All new grants to executive officers in 2016 and subsequent years contain financial performance-based vesting requirements, and will not just be subject to time-based vesting. In 2016, the only time-based equity grants made to executive officers were in connection with inducement grants under new executive employment agreements and changes in our senior management.

•

Greater Majority of Board of Directors Currently Independent. Several institutional shareholders suggested that a greater percentage of the Company’s Board of Directors should be independent. As part of the Board’s commitment to stronger corporate governance initiatives announced in June 2016, the Board is currently composed of six (6) non-management directors and one (1) management director. Accordingly, 86% of the current Board of Directors is comprised of non-management directors, as compared to April 2015, when only 57% of the Board was independent.

We firmly believe that the implementation of the foregoing improvements to our governance and compensation practices described above has appropriately addressed all of our key shareholders’ concerns.

When casting your 2017 Say-on-Pay vote, we encourage you to consider the Compensation Committee’s determination to pay zero ($0) in cash incentive bonuses to the named executive officers given the Company’s failure to achieve its 2016 financial performance targets; the elimination of excessive compensation and CEO perquisite amounts; the enforcement of repayment requirements and claw-back agreements resulting in the recovery of more than $22 million from former senior executives; and our constructive engagement with our shareholders.

OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Company traditionally uses a mix of short- and long-term and fixed and variable elements in compensating the NEOs: base salary; annual cash bonus incentives; and long-term incentive awards. In prior years, long-term incentive awards often included equity-based awards that vested based solely on continued employment. However, as described in more detail below, the Compensation Committee redesigned the long-term incentive program for our NEOs so that future long-term equity-based awards granted to NEOs will be subject to performance-based vesting requirements.

Compensation Philosophy

In 2016, the Compensation Committee reaffirmed its compensation strategy to appropriately link compensation levels with shareholder value creation by:

•

Aligning pay with financial performance as a meaningful component of total compensation;

•

Providing total compensation capable of attracting, motivating and retaining executives of outstanding talent;

•

Focusing our executives on achieving key objectives critical to implementing the Company’s business strategy and achieving financial performance goals;

•

Imposing, and enforcing, appropriate “claw-back” or repayment requirements for executives’ resignation or termination for cause; and

•

Safeguarding the Company’s business interests, including protection from adverse activities by executives.

Risk Assessment

The Compensation Committee reviews with management the design and operation of the Company’s performance goals and metrics used in connection with incentive awards and determined that these policies do not provide the Company’s executive officers or other employees with incentive to engage in behavior that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. As discussed below in greater detail, the principal measures of our business performance to which named executive officer compensation is tied are adjusted EBITDA (as defined below), revenue growth and, in the case of equity incentive awards, the value returned to shareholders as measured by stock price appreciation, as compared to a specified peer group of companies.

Process for Determining the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers

Our Compensation Committee. As of April 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee was composed of three independent, non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s executive compensation and benefit plans and practices, including its incentive compensation and equity-based plans, and reviews and approves the Company’s management succession plans. Specifically, the Compensation Committee determines the salaries and the performance measures and awards under the annual bonus incentive program for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. The Compensation Committee also determines the amount and form of long-term incentive awards, which typically take the form of equity incentive grants, including shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units under the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and 2008 Key Partner Incentive Plan, and stock appreciation rights (SARs) under the SARs Plan.

Engagement of Compensation Consultant. In 2015 and 2016, the Compensation Committee retained Mercer Human Resource Consulting (“ Mercer ”), a compensation consulting firm, to provide objective analysis, advice and information to the Compensation Committee, including competitive market data and recommendations related to CEO and other named executive officer compensation. Mercer reports to the Compensation Committee Chairman and has direct access to Compensation Committee members. In addition to the advice described above, the Compensation Committee engaged Mercer to assist in designing the new LTIP Plan to enhance pay-for-performance alignment. In accordance with NASDAQ listing standards, the Compensation Committee assessed the independence of Mercer and determined that it was independent.

Mercer has attended Compensation Committee meetings at the Compensation Committee’s request and has also met with the Compensation Committee in executive session without management present. In particular, the Compensation Committee worked with Mercer to structure performance-based annual and long-term incentive programs designed to retain the Company’s executive management team and to motivate them to achieve goals that increase shareholder value. The Compensation Committee sought to ensure that its incentive plans properly align management incentive compensation targets with the performance targets most relevant to shareholders. The Compensation Committee also considered recent trends in executive compensation.

The aggregate amount of fees billed by Mercer for services related to designing the 2016 LTIP awards and determining compensation for the Company’s named executive officers was equal to $16,421 for 2016.

Role of Named Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions: Input from Senior Management. The Compensation Committee considers input from senior management in making determinations regarding the overall executive compensation program and the individual compensation of the named executive officers. As part of the Company’s annual planning process, the CEO and CFO develop targets for the Company’s incentive compensation programs and present them to the Compensation Committee. These targets are reviewed by the Compensation Committee to ensure alignment with the Company’s strategic and annual operating plans, taking into account the targeted year-over-year improvement as well as identified opportunities and risks. Based on performance appraisals, including an assessment of the achievement of pre-established financial and individual “key performance indicators,” the CEO recommends to the Compensation Committee cash and long-term incentive award levels for the Company’s other executive officers. Each year, the CEO presents to the Compensation Committee his evaluation of each executive officer’s contribution and performance over the past year, and strengths and development needs and actions for each of the executive officers. The Compensation Committee exercises its discretionary authority and makes the final decisions regarding the form of awards, targets, award opportunities and payout value of awards. No executive officer participates in discussions relating to his or her own compensation.

ELEMENTS OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table details the elements of our compensation program which are designed to achieve our compensation objectives for the named executive officers:

Compensation Program Elements	Description	How This Element Promotes Company Objectives
Base Salary	Fixed annual compensation that provides ongoing income.	Intended to be competitive with marketplace.
Annual, Short-Term Cash Incentive Awards; Repayment or “Claw-back” Requirements	Opportunity to earn performance-based compensation if the Company achieves financial performance goals, and if the executive achieves individual “key performance indicators” (KPIs). For 2016, the financial performance goals were based on the Company’s adjusted EBITDA and revenue growth. Any future awards are expected to include “claw-back” requirements.	Motivates and rewards achievement of annual corporate and personal objectives that build shareholder value. Repayment or “claw-back” requirements encourage executive retention.
At-Risk Equity Incentive Awards (Restricted Stock)	Opportunity to earn equity incentive awards based upon three-year financial performance vesting terms.	Promotes achievement of key multi-year corporate objectives; the vesting requirements of these incentive awards are designed to motivate executives to achieve goals that align the executive’s interests with shareholders. Long-term vesting promotes executive retention.
Cash LTIP Plans	Opportunity to earn performance-based compensation if the Company achieves financial performance goals (adjusted EBITDA) and superior “Relative Total Shareholder Return” (TSR) as compared to a pre-defined industry comparator group over three (3) year measurement period following date of grant.	Grant and vesting requirements of these long-term incentive awards are designed to motivate executives to achieve stretch goals that align the executive’s interests with shareholders, based on extraordinary financial performance and relative shareholder value creation over 3-year period as compared to a comparator group. Long term vesting and continued employment condition also promote executive retention.

Compensation Program Elements	Description	How This Element Promotes Company Objectives
Severance Payments and Benefits	Payments and benefits upon termination of an executive’s employment in specified circumstances.	Intended to provide assurance of financial security to attract lateral hires and to retain executives, especially in disruptive circumstances, such as a change in control and leadership transitions; encourage management to consider transactions that could benefit shareholders.
Benefits	Health and welfare benefits.	Fair and competitive programs to provide family health care protection, facilitate recruitment and retention.
Perquisites	Limited personal benefits provided as an element of compensation, including a fixed “perquisite allowance” to named executive officers. Effective as of January 1, 2016, the CEO’s perquisite allowance was eliminated.	Fair and competitive programs to facilitate recruitment and retention.

In setting policies and administering the compensation of named executive officers, the Compensation Committee reviews all elements of total compensation, benefits and perquisites. The Compensation Committee reviews reports and analyses of executive compensation in consultation with its outside consultant, including current practices and trends among peer companies and the advertising and marketing services industry.

2016 Base Salaries. The Compensation Committee reviews base salaries annually or at other times when appropriate. In determining the amount of base salary that each NEO receives, the Compensation Committee reviews the executive’s current compensation, time in position, any change in the executive’s position or responsibilities and the relation of the executive’s position and compensation to those of other executives within the Company and in similar positions at peer companies.

Pay-for-Performance Analysis; Failure to Achieve 2016 Financial Targets. The Company’s compensation program is designed to reward performance relative to corporate financial performance criteria and individual incentive criteria. The Company’s overall financial performance in 2016 failed to achieve the targets established by the Compensation Committee. Therefore, the Compensation Committee determined to award $0 to the CEO and other NEOs in respect of their financial-performance based cash incentives. The Company’s senior executives are eligible to receive an annual bonus each year in a target amount equal to their base salary if the Company achieves the financial performance targets established by the Compensation Committee and the applicable NEO is determined to have satisfied his or her individual performance criteria. The Company does not apply a formula or use a pre-determined weighting when comparing overall performance against the various individual objectives, and no single objective is material in determining individual awards.

2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards. In 2016, the Compensation Committee determined to award the CEO and each NEO restricted stock grants under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, conditioned upon achievement of three (3) year financial performance targets and continued employment pursuant to the terms of an award agreement made under the Plan (the “2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards, the shares of restricted stock granted to our NEOs will vest based upon the Company’s level of achievement of “Actual Cumulative EBITDA” (calculated as described below) over the performance period commencing on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2018 (the “Performance Period”).

For purposes of the foregoing, “EBITDA” is defined as the Company’s consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, plus any non-cash charges for stock-based compensation which were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA. “Actual Cumulative EBITDA” is defined as the sum of the Company’s actual annual EBITDA for the Company’s 2016, 2017 and 2018 fiscal years, as determined by the Compensation Committee. “Cumulative EBITDA Target” is defined as the sum of the EBITDA targets as set forth in the Company’s annual budget for each of the Company’s 2016, 2017 and 2018 fiscal years, in each case as determined by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each such fiscal year.

The Compensation Committee chose EBITDA as the financial performance measure under the 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards because it is a key indicator of Company profitability.

On February 17, 2016, the Company issued LTIP Equity Incentive Awards to each of the NEOs in the following target amounts: Scott Kauffman — 142,348 shares; David Doft — 40,000 shares; Mitchell Gendel — 40,000 shares; Robert Kantor — 30,000 shares; and David Ross — 30,000 shares. Each of the foregoing 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards will vest on March 1, 2019, based on the Company’s Actual Cumulative EBITDA as described above. The Compensation Committee sets the EBITDA target for each of 2016, 2017 and 2018 at the beginning of each applicable year at levels the Compensation Committee believes are challenging but reasonably achievable. Under FASB ASC Topic 718, these restricted stock awards do not yet have an established grant date or grant date fair value because the financial performance target, the Cumulative EBITDA Target, is not yet established. As there is not yet a grant date under FASB ASC Topic 718, in accordance with the SEC’s disclosure rules, amounts relating to these awards are not included in the Summary Compensation Table or the Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2016 table.

Partial Payout Under 2014 LTIP Awards. In April 2014, the Committee granted to each of the NEOs (other than Mr. Kauffman) awards under the Company’s 2014 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (the “2014 LTIP Plan” ), with a target value equal to $250,000. These grants vested at the end of the applicable three (3) year measuring period on December 31, 2016. The financial performance criteria were based on the following two specific metrics that are each given 50% weight: (i) three (3) year cumulative EBITDA growth as measured against the approved annual EBITDA targets for such period; and (ii) relative total shareholder return ( “TSR” ) based on share price appreciation and dividends as compared to a pre-defined comparator group over the same three (3) year period. The Company failed to achieve the 3-year TSR target for these awards, but achieved 3-year cumulative EBITDA of $556.9 million, or approximately 95% of the 3-year cumulative EBITDA target of $581.5 million. Accordingly, the Company made a partial payment to each of the NEOs (other than Mr. Kauffman) in an amount equal to $119,707 under the 2014 LTIP Plan.

Stock Ownership Guidelines. The Company’s stock ownership guidelines require that each named executive officer own a significant equity stake in the Company during their employment. The Compensation Committee believes that stock ownership by senior managers strengthens their commitment to the future of the Company and further aligns their interests with those of our shareholders. The Board has adopted the following stock ownership guidelines: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to own stock with a value of at least four (4) times his base salary; and each other named executive officer, at least three (3) times their base salary. An executive must reach his target ownership level within four years after becoming subject to the stock ownership guidelines. As of December 31, 2016, the CEO and all other named executive officers were in full compliance with the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.

Prohibition of Pledging or Hedging of the Company’s Stock. The Board has adopted policies to prohibit any pledge or hedging of the Company’s stock by officers and directors of the Company. Currently, no stock is pledged or hedged by any of the Company’s directors or officers.

Employment Agreements. The Company has employment or services agreements with the CEO and all of the other named executive officers. These agreements formalize the terms of the employment relationship, and assure the executive of fair treatment during employment and in the event of termination while requiring compliance with restrictive covenants. Employment agreements promote complete documentation and understanding of employment terms, including strong protections for our business.

Claw-back Agreements. In connection with the payment of cash incentive amounts to the CEO and each of the other named executive officers in respect of 2015, the Company required that each agree in

writing to repay the Company a pro rata portion of his cash incentive payment if he resigned his employment or his employment was terminated for “cause” prior to December 31, 2018. These agreements also encourage long term retention of key executives by the Company.

Business Protection Terms. The Company’s named executive officers are subject to significant contractual restrictions intended to prevent actions that potentially could harm our business, particularly after termination of employment. These business protections include obligations not to solicit clients or employees, not to disparage us, not to reveal confidential information, and to cooperate with us in litigation. Business protection provisions are included in employment agreements and in connection with compliance with the Company’s Code of Conduct.

Equity Award Grant Policies. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee have adopted policies and procedures governing the granting of any equity incentive awards, including the following:

•

Equity incentive awards granted to executive officers must be approved by the Compensation Committee or the full Board of Directors, and be made at quarterly in-person meetings and not be made via unanimous written consent. An attorney (who may be an employee of the Company) must be present at each such Compensation Committee or Board meeting.

•

If grants are required to be awarded in connection with hiring new employees in between quarterly Compensation Committee meetings, such grants may be approved at a special meeting, which may be telephonic or in-person.

•

Options, SARs and other equity incentive awards must be priced at the closing price on the date immediately prior to the date of the Compensation Committee meeting at which the grant is approved.

Comparator Companies. In determining compensation opportunities and payments to executives, the Compensation Committee may, from time to time, review competitive opportunities, payments, practices and performance among a comparator group of companies. Although we do not engage in formal benchmarking of NEO compensation, we intend that, if our named executive officers achieve individual and financial corporate objectives in a given year, they will earn total direct compensation that compares favorably with the total direct compensation earned by executives performing similar functions at comparator companies.

Retirement Programs. The Company offers each U.S.-based executive the opportunity to make individual contributions to a broad-based 401(k) Plan administered by the Company and generally available to the Company’s U.S. employees. However, the Company does not make or match any employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan for the Company’s employees. The Company does not provide any other specific retirement or pension benefits for its named executive officers.

Severance Policies. We provide severance protection to our named executive officers in employment agreements, as detailed below under the caption “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-In-Control.” As discussed above, this protection is designed to be fair and competitive to aid in attracting and retaining experienced executives. We believe that the protection we provide, including the level of severance payments and post-termination benefits, is appropriate.

Section 162(m). Pursuant to Section 162(m), publicly-held corporations are prohibited from deducting compensation paid to the named executive officers except the Chief Financial Officer, as of the end of the fiscal year, in excess of $1 million, unless the compensation is “performance-based.” Although the Compensation Committee considers the impact of Section 162(m) when making its compensation determinations, the Compensation Committee has determined that its need for flexibility in designing an effective compensation plan to meet our objectives and to respond quickly to marketplace needs has outweighed its need to maximize the deductibility of its annual compensation. The Compensation Committee reviews this policy from time to time.

REPORT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES &
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Human Resources & Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that appears above. Based on this review and discussion with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the SEC.

The Human Resources & Compensation Committee
Clare R. Copeland (Chairman)
Larry Kramer
Irwin D. Simon

Executive Compensation

This section contains information, both narrative and tabular, regarding the compensation for fiscal 2016, 2015, and 2014 for (1) our principal executive officer in 2016; (2) our principal financial officer in 2016; and (3) our three other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of the end of 2016 (collectively, the “ NEOs ” or the “ named executive officers ”). Messrs. Kauffman and Kantor were not NEOs in 2014 and Mr. Ross was not an NEO in 2014 or 2015; therefore, in accordance with the SEC’s disclosure rules, information regarding compensation for the years that those individuals were not NEOs is not included in the table below.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE


Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)		Bonus ($) ⁽¹⁾		Stock Awards ($) ⁽²⁾		Option Awards ($)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) ⁽³⁾		All Other Compensation ($) ⁽⁴⁾		Total ($)
Scott L. Kauffman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer		2016 2015		1,200,000 500,641		0 800,000		0 1,926,000		0 0		0 0		8,400 34,135		1,208,400 3,260,776
David Doft, Chief Financial Officer		2016 2015 2014		650,000 500,000 441,667		0 575,000 566,375		0 0 142,437		0 0 0		119,707 0 0		52,154 47,687 46,686		821,861 1,122,687 1,197,165
Mitchell Gendel, General Counsel		2016 2015 2014		550,000 500,000 441,667		0 575,000 566,375		0 0 139,915		0 0 0		119,707 0 0		49,576 48,007 45,368		719,283 1,123,007 1,193,325
Robert Kantor, Global Chief Marketing Officer		2016 2015		500,000 500,000		0 600,000		0 0		0 0		119,707 0		40,154 38,367		659,861 1,138,367
David Ross, EVP, Strategy and Corporate Development		2016		425,000		0		0		0		119,707		22,154		566,861

(1)

No annual performance bonus was paid to any NEO in respect of 2016. As disclosed in the CD&A, the Company’s practice is to require senior executives to sign Incentive/Retention Agreements in connection with each annual bonus payment, which agreement provide for a pro rata repayment of each bonus paid if he/she resigns or is terminated for cause within two years of the end of the performing year.

(2)

Reflects the grant date fair value of the equity awards we granted to our NEOs as determined in accordance with FASB Topic 718. For a discussion of the assumptions relating to these valuations, please see “Footnote 2 — Significant Accounting Policies” set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. On February 17, 2016, the Company issued 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards to each of the NEOs in the following target amounts: Scott Kauffman — 142,348 shares of restricted stock with a market value of $2,548,029 on February 17, 2016; David Doft — 40,000 shares of restricted stock with a market value of $716,000 on February 17, 2016; Mitchell Gendel — 40,000 shares of restricted stock with a market value of $716,000 on February 17, 2016; Robert Kantor — 30,000 shares of restricted stock with a market value of $537,000 on February 17, 2016; and David Ross — 30,000 shares of restricted stock with a market value of $537,000 on February 17, 2016. Each of the foregoing restricted stock grants will vest on March 1, 2019, based on the Company’s Actual Cumulative EBITDA for the period commencing on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2018. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of our Compensation Program for our Named Executive Officers — 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards.” Under FASB ASC Topic 718, these restricted stock awards do not yet have an established grant date fair value because the financial performance target is not yet established.

(3)

Reflects amounts paid March 13, 2017 in connection with grants made in February 2014 pursuant to the 2014 Cash LTIP Plan, following a determination of the Company’s financial performance over the 3-year period ended December 31, 2016. In addition, reflects amounts paid in respect of 2016 annual cash incentive awards. As discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of our Compensation Program for our Named Executive Officers — Pay-for-Performance Analysis; Failure to Achieve 2016 Financial Targets,” no amounts were paid to our NEOs in respect of our 2016 financial performance-based cash incentive awards.

(4)

“All other compensation” is composed of the following perquisites, personal benefits and other items for our NEOs in 2016:


Name	Perquisite Allowance		Health Insurance Premiums		Other Perquisites		Total
Scott L. Kauffman		—		8,400		—		8,400
David Doft		30,000		22,154		—		52,154
Mitchell Gendel		25,000		24,576		—		49,576
Robert Kantor		18,000		22,154		—		40,154
David Ross		—		22,154		—		22,154

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2016

Name

Grant
Date

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards ⁽¹⁾

Threshold
($)

Target
($)

Maximum
($)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Scott L. Kauffman

1,200,000

David Doft

650,000

Mitchell Gendel

550,000

Robert Kantor

500,000

David Ross

425,000

(1)

Reflects the eligible payouts of cash incentive compensation in respect of 2016 annual cash incentive awards. As discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of our Compensation Program for our Named Executive Officers — Pay-for-Performance Analysis; Failure to Achieve 2016 Financial Targets,” no amounts were paid to our NEOs in respect of our 2016 annual cash incentive awards given that the Company failed to achieve the financial performance targets.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

We have entered into employment agreements with all of our named executive officers, as described in more detail below.

Scott L. Kauffman

MDC Partners has an employment agreement with Mr. Kauffman, effective July 20, 2015, pursuant to which Mr. Kauffman serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kauffman’s term of employment with the Company is for an indefinite period unless and until either Mr. Kauffman gives to the Company thirty (30) days advance written notice of resignation or the Company terminates Mr. Kauffman’s employment, with or without “Cause” (as defined in his employment agreement).

Mr. Kauffman received an annualized base salary of $1,100,000 during his term of employment in 2015 (increased to $1,200,000 effective as of January 1, 2016), and he is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in a target amount equal to 100% of his base salary, as determined by the Compensation Committee, based upon Mr. Kauffman’s individual performance, the overall financial performance of the Company and such other factors as the Board shall deem reasonable and appropriate, to be paid in accordance with our normal bonus payment procedures. As part of his new employment agreement, Mr. Kauffman received a grant of 100,000 shares of MDC restricted stock on August 26, 2015. In 2015, Mr. Kauffman received a monthly perquisite allowance in an amount equal to $6,250; however, commencing January 1, 2016, Mr. Kauffman no longer receives any perquisite allowance. Mr. Kauffman is eligible to participate in the Company’s welfare benefit plans and programs including disability and group life (including accidental death and dismemberment insurance). He is also entitled to participate in the retirement plans and benefits in accordance with the plans or practices of the Company made available to the senior executives of the Company. The employment agreement also provides for severance payments if Mr. Kauffman’s employment is terminated under specified circumstances. The amount and circumstances giving rise to these severance payments are discussed in further detail under the heading “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

David Doft

MDC Partners has an employment agreement with Mr. Doft, effective August 10, 2007 (as amended on August 5, 2010), pursuant to which Mr. Doft serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Doft’s term of employment is subject to automatic renewal for one-year periods, unless either party gives to the other a 45-day advance written notice of his or its intention not to renew. Mr. Doft currently receives an annualized base salary of $650,000 and he is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in a target amount equal to 100% of his base salary, as recommended by our CEO and determined by the Compensation Committee, based upon Mr. Doft’s performance, the overall financial performance of the Company and such other factors as our CEO and the Board shall deem reasonable and appropriate, to be paid in accordance with our normal bonus payment procedures.

Mr. Doft also receives an annual perquisite allowance in an amount equal to $30,000. Mr. Doft is eligible to participate in any welfare benefit plans and programs including disability, group life (including accidental death and dismemberment) and business travel insurance provided by the Company to its senior executives. He is also entitled to participate in the retirement plans and benefits in accordance with the plans or practices of the Company made available to the senior executives of the Company. The employment agreement also provides for severance payments if Mr. Doft’s employment is terminated under specified circumstances. The amount and circumstances giving rise to these severance payments are discussed in further detail under the heading “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Mitchell Gendel

MDC Partners has an employment agreement with Mr. Gendel, effective July 6, 2007 (as amended on March 5, 2011), pursuant to which Mr. Gendel serves as our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Gendel’s term of employment is subject to automatic renewal for one-year periods, unless either party gives to the other a 30-day advance written notice of its intention not to renew. Mr. Gendel currently receives an annualized base salary of $550,000 and he is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in an amount up to 100% of his base salary, as recommended by our CEO and determined by the Compensation Committee, based upon Mr. Gendel’s performance, the overall financial performance of the Company and

such other factors as our CEO and the Board shall deem reasonable and appropriate, to be paid in accordance with our normal bonus payment procedures. Mr. Gendel also receives an annual perquisite allowance in an amount equal to $25,000. Mr. Gendel is eligible to participate in any welfare benefit plans and programs including disability, group life (including accidental death and dismemberment), and business travel insurance provided by the Company to its senior executives. He is also entitled to participate in the retirement plans and benefits in accordance with the plans or practices of the Company made available to the senior executives of the Company. The employment agreement also provides for severance payments if Mr. Gendel’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances. The amount and circumstances giving rise to these severance payments are discussed in further detail under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Robert Kantor

MDC Partners has an employment agreement with Mr. Kantor, effective May 5, 2014, pursuant to which Mr. Kantor serves as our Global Chief Marketing Officer. Mr. Kantor’s current term of employment with the Company is for an indefinite period unless and until either Mr. Kantor gives to the Company six (6) months advance written notice of resignation or the Company terminates Mr. Kantor’s employment with or without “Cause” (as defined in his employment agreement).

Mr. Kantor currently receives an annualized base salary of $500,000, and he is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in a target amount equal to 100% of his base salary, as recommended by our CEO and determined by the Compensation Committee, based upon Mr. Kantor’s individual performance, the overall financial performance of the Company and such other factors as our CEO and the Board shall deem reasonable and appropriate, to be paid in accordance with our normal bonus payment procedures.

Mr. Kantor also receives an annual perquisite allowance in an amount equal to $18,000. Mr. Kantor is eligible to participate in any welfare benefit plans and programs including disability, group life (including accidental death and dismemberment) and business travel insurance provided by the Company to its senior executives. He is also entitled to participate in the retirement plans and benefits in accordance with the plans or practices of the Company made available to the senior executives of the Company. The employment agreement also provides for severance payments if Mr. Kantor’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances. The amount and circumstances giving rise to these severance payments are discussed in further detail under the heading “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

David Ross

MDC Partners has an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Ross, effective February 27, 2017, pursuant to which Mr. Ross serves as our Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development. Mr. Ross’s term of employment is for an indefinite term, unless and until either Mr. Ross provides the Company with 30 days prior written notice of resignation, or if the Company terminates his employment with or without “Cause” (as defined in his employment agreement). Mr. Ross currently receives an annualized base salary of $500,000 (effective as of January 20, 2017) and he is eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus in an amount up to 100% of his base salary, as recommended by our CEO and determined by the Compensation Committee, based upon Mr. Ross’s performance, the overall financial performance of the Company and such other factors as our CEO and the Board shall deem reasonable and appropriate, to be paid in accordance with our normal bonus payment procedures. Mr. Ross is eligible to participate in any welfare benefit plans and programs including disability, group life (including accidental death and dismemberment), and business travel insurance provided by the Company to its senior executives. He is also entitled to participate in the retirement plans and benefits in accordance with the plans or practices of the Company made available to the senior executives of the Company. The employment agreement also provides for severance payments if Mr. Ross’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances. The amount and circumstances giving rise to these severance payments are discussed in further detail under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards

As discussed above, on February 17, 2016, the Company issued 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards to each of the NEOs in the following target amounts: Scott Kauffman — 142,348 shares; David Doft — 40,000 shares; Mitchell Gendel — 40,000 shares; Robert Kantor — 30,000 shares; and David Ross — 30,000 shares. Each of the foregoing restricted stock grants will vest on March 1, 2019, if the Company achieves the Cumulative EBITDA Target. As discussed above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of our Compensation Program for our Named Executive Officers — 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards,” under FASB ASC Topic 718, these restricted stock awards do not yet have an established grant date or grant date fair value because the financial performance target, the Cumulative EBITDA Target, is not yet established.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2016 FISCAL YEAR-END

Name

Stock Awards

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested
(#)

Market Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested
($)

Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights that
Have Not
Vested
(#)

Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights that
Have Not
Vested
($)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Scott Kauffman

108,011

⁽¹⁾

707,472

⁽¹⁾

⁽²⁾

David B. Doft

⁽²⁾

Mitchell Gendel

⁽²⁾

Robert Kantor

⁽²⁾

David Ross

⁽²⁾

(1)

Mr. Kauffman received the following grants in connection with his prior service as a non-employee member of the Board: 4,441 restricted shares granted on May 5, 2014; and 3,570 restricted shares granted on May 1, 2016. These grants vest upon the third anniversary of the grant date. In addition, pursuant to his new employment agreement to serve as the Company’s CEO, Mr. Kauffman received a grant of 100,000 restricted shares, which will vest on the third anniversary of employment (July 20, 2018).

(2)

This table does not reflect the 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards that were made on February 17, 2016 and are subject to performance conditions. The 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards will vest on March 1, 2019, if the Company achieves the Cumulative EBITDA Target during the period of January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2018. Under FASB ASC Topic 718, these restricted stock awards do not yet have an established grant date fair value because the financial performance target, the Cumulative EBITDA Target is not yet established. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Elements of our Compensation Program for our Named Executive Officers — 2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards”.

The following table sets forth information concerning each exercise of stock options, SARs and similar instruments, and each vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar instruments, during 2016 for each NEO on an aggregated basis.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL YEAR 2016

Name

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)

Value
Realized on
Exercise
($)

Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)

Value Realized
on Vesting
($)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Scott L. Kauffman

37,500

⁽¹⁾

622,500

9,855

224,300

David Doft

Robert Kantor

37,500

305,625

Mitchell Gendel

David Ross

37,500

759,000

(1)

The Company issued 27,585 shares to satisfy the net amount of shares due upon exercise of this option award at an exercise price equal to $5.97.

PENSION BENEFITS IN 2016

We do not provide our NEOs with any defined benefit pension arrangements.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION IN 2016

We do not maintain any non-qualified deferred compensation plans for our NEOs.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. Under these agreements, we are required to pay severance benefits in connection with specified terminations of employment, including specified terminations in connection with a change in control of the Company. The employment agreements for each NEO and other executives require a “double trigger” for any change in control severance payments. In addition, some of our equity incentive plans provide for the accelerated payment or vesting of awards in connection with specified terminations of employment or a change in control of the Company. The following is a description of the severance, termination and change in control benefits payable to each of our named executive officers pursuant to their respective employment agreements and our equity incentive plans.

Definitions of terms such as “change in control” or “for good reason” vary between agreements, so when a definition is particular to an agreement, it is described for that agreement. For all named executive officers, a “change of control” means the closing of a transaction which results in (1) any person(s) or company(ies) acting jointly or in concert owning equity of the Company representing greater than 50% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities, or (2) the Company selling all or substantially all of its assets (in each instance other than any transfer by the Company or any of its affiliates of their respective interest in the Company to another wholly-owned subsidiary of another MDC Group company).

Scott L. Kauffman

Pursuant to his employment agreement, if MDC terminated Mr. Kauffman’s employment in 2016 without cause, or if Mr. Kauffman terminated his employment for good reason, then MDC was required to pay Mr. Kauffman a severance payment within 60 days of the date of termination of 1.5 times Mr. Kauffman’s then-current base salary plus the amount of his annual discretionary bonus paid or accrued in respect of the year immediately preceding the termination date. If Mr. Kauffman’s employment had terminated under these circumstances on December 31, 2016, the aggregate cash payment due to him under the agreement would have been $3,000,000. As of December 31, 2016, Mr. Kauffman had 155,460 unvested restricted stock grants that would vest on termination of his employment agreement, with a fair value equal to $1,018,265. In the event of termination of Mr. Kauffman's employment agreement following a change of control as of December 31, 2016, a total of 250,359 unvested restricted stock grants would fully vest, with a fair value equal to $1,639,851.

If Mr. Kauffman’s employment is terminated within one year following the closing of a change in control by MDC without cause, or by Mr. Kauffman for good reason, then Mr. Kauffman will be entitled to the same severance payments set forth above. In addition, in the event of a change of control, the Compensation Committee may in its sole discretion determine to make an additional payment to Mr. Kauffman. If there had been a change in control of MDC Partners on December 31, 2016 and Mr. Kauffman’s employment terminated in connection with that change in control, the aggregate cash severance payment MDC would have paid him under the contract would be $3,000,000.

David Doft

Pursuant to his employment agreement, if MDC terminates Mr. Doft’s employment without cause, Mr. Doft terminates his employment for good reason, or the company gives a notice of non-renewal of the agreement, then MDC is required to pay Mr. Doft a severance payment within 10 days of the date of termination of one (1) times Mr. Doft’s total remuneration, plus an amount equal to two (2) month’s base salary for each calendar year in which he was employed by the Company, up to a maximum of six (6) months. Total remuneration means the sum of his current base salary, his perquisite allowance, plus the highest annual discretionary cash bonus he earned in the three years ending December 31 of the year immediately preceding the date of termination. If Mr. Doft’s employment had terminated under these circumstances on December 31, 2016, the aggregate cash payment due to him under the agreement would have been $1,817,500. Furthermore, Mr. Doft will also be allowed to continue participating for one year after termination on the same basis as before he was terminated in all benefit plans and, to the extent permitted under law, also in all retirement plans, provided however, that if Mr. Doft becomes entitled to receive coverage and benefits in the same type of plan from another employer, he will no longer be able to participate in these benefit and retirement plans. We will be obligated to pay him the economic equivalent of the benefits

in these plans if Mr. Doft is unable to participate in the plans. The aggregate amount of this benefit would have been approximately $22,154 if Mr. Doft’s employment had terminated as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, Mr. Doft had 13,333 unvested restricted stock grants that would vest on termination of his employment agreement, with a fair value equal to $87,333. In the event of termination of Mr. Doft’s employment agreement following a change of control as of December 31, 2016, a total of 40,000 unvested restricted stock grants would fully vest, with a fair value equal to $262,000.

If Mr. Doft’s employment is terminated without cause by the company within one year following the closing of a change in control, by Mr. Doft for good reason, or by the company giving a notice of non-renewal of the agreement, then Mr. Doft will be entitled to a payment of 2.0 times his total remuneration. He will also be eligible to receive a pro rata portion of his annual discretionary cash bonus for the year in which his employment terminates. If there had been a change in control of MDC Partners on December 31, 2016 and Mr. Doft’s employment terminated in connection with that change in control, the aggregate cash severance payment MDC would have paid him under the contract would be $2,985,000. Furthermore, Mr. Doft will also be allowed to continue participating for one year after termination on the same basis as before he was terminated in all benefit plans. We will be obligated to pay him the economic equivalent of the benefits in these plans if Mr. Doft is unable to participate in the plans. The aggregate amount of this benefit would have been approximately $22,154 if Mr. Doft’s employment had terminated as of December 31, 2016.

Mitchell Gendel

Pursuant to his employment agreement, if MDC terminates Mr. Gendel’s employment without cause, Mr. Gendel terminates his employment for good reason, or the Company gives a notice of non-renewal of the agreement, then MDC is required to pay Mr. Gendel a severance payment within 10 days of the date of termination of one (1) times Mr. Gendel’s total remuneration, plus an amount equal to six (6) month’s base salary. Total remuneration means the sum of his current base salary, his perquisite allowance, plus the highest annual discretionary cash bonus he earned in the three years ending December 31 of the year immediately preceding the date of termination. If Mr. Gendel’s employment had terminated under these circumstances on December 31, 2016, the aggregate cash payment due to him under the agreement would have been $1,662,500. Furthermore, Mr. Gendel will also be allowed to continue participating for one year after termination on the same basis as before he was terminated in all benefit plans and, to the extent permitted under law, also in all retirement plans, provided, however, that if Mr. Gendel becomes entitled to receive coverage and benefits in the same type of plan from another employer, he will no longer be able to participate in these benefit and retirement plans. We will be obligated to pay him the economic equivalent of the benefits in these plans if Mr. Gendel is unable to participate in the plans. The aggregate amount of this benefit would have been approximately $24,576 if Mr. Gendel’s employment had terminated as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, Mr. Gendel had 13,333 unvested restricted stock grants that would vest on termination of his employment agreement, with a fair value equal to $87,333. In the event of termination of Mr. Gendel’s employment agreement following a change of control as of December 31, 2016, a total of 40,000 unvested restricted stock grants would fully vest, with a fair value equal to $262,000.

If Mr. Gendel’s employment is terminated within one year following the closing of a change in control by the company without cause, by Mr. Gendel for good reason, or by the company giving a notice of non-renewal of the agreement, then Mr. Gendel will be entitled to a payment of two (2) times his total remuneration. He will also be eligible to receive a pro-rata portion of his annual discretionary cash bonus for the year in which his employment terminates. If there had been a change in control of MDC Partners on December 31, 2016 and Mr. Gendel’s employment terminated in connection with that change in control, the aggregate cash severance payment MDC would have paid him under the contract would be $2,775,000. Furthermore, Mr. Gendel will also be allowed to continue participating for one year after termination on the same basis as before he was terminated in all benefit plans. We will be obligated to pay him the economic equivalent of the benefits in these plans if Mr. Gendel is unable to participate in the plans. The aggregate amount of this benefit would have been approximately $24,576 if Mr. Gendel’s employment had terminated as of December 31, 2016.

Robert Kantor

Pursuant to his employment agreement, if MDC terminates Mr. Kantor’s employment without cause, then MDC is required to pay Mr. Kantor a severance payment over the applicable twelve (12) month severance period, equal to one (1) times Mr. Kantor’s base salary. If Mr. Kantor’s employment had terminated under these circumstances on December 31, 2016, the aggregate cash payment due to him under the agreement would have been $500,000. As of December 31, 2016, Mr. Kantor had 10,000 unvested restricted stock grants that would vest on termination of his employment agreement, with a fair value equal to $65,500. In the event of termination of Mr. Kantor’s employment agreement following a change of control as of December 31, 2016, a total of 30,000 unvested restricted stock grants would fully vest, with a fair value equal to $196,500.

If Mr. Kantor’s employment is terminated within one year following the closing of a change in control by the company without cause, then Mr. Kantor will be entitled to a payment of two (2) times his total remuneration. Total remuneration means the sum of his current base salary, plus the highest annual discretionary cash bonus he earned in the three years ending December 31 of the year immediately preceding the date of termination. He will also be eligible to receive a pro-rata portion of his annual discretionary cash bonus for the year in which his employment terminates. If there had been a change in control of MDC Partners on December 31, 2016 and Mr. Kantor’s employment terminated in connection with that change in control, the aggregate cash severance payment MDC would have paid him under the contract would be $2,200,000.

David Ross

Pursuant to his employment agreement, if MDC terminates Mr. Ross’s employment without cause, or Mr. Ross terminates his employment for good reason, then MDC is required to pay Mr. Ross a severance payment within 10 days of the date of termination of one (1) times Mr. Ross’s total remuneration. Total remuneration means the sum of his then-current base salary plus the highest annual discretionary cash bonus he earned in the three years ending December 31 of the year immediately preceding the date of termination. If Mr. Ross’s employment had terminated under these circumstances on December 31, 2016, the aggregate cash payment due to him under the agreement would have been $883,000. Furthermore, Mr. Ross will also be allowed to continue participating for one year after termination on the same basis as before he was terminated in all benefit plans and, to the extent permitted under law, also in all retirement plans, provided, however, that if Mr. Ross becomes entitled to receive coverage and benefits in the same type of plan from another employer, he will no longer be able to participate in these benefit and retirement plans. We will be obligated to pay him the economic equivalent of the benefits in these plans if Mr. Ross is unable to participate in the plans. The aggregate amount of this benefit would have been approximately $22,154 if Mr. Ross’s employment had terminated as of December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, Mr. Ross had 10,000 unvested restricted stock grants that would vest on termination of his employment agreement, with a fair value equal to $65,500. In the event of termination of Mr. Ross’s employment agreement following a change of control as of December 31, 2016, a total of 30,000 unvested restricted stock grants would fully vest, with a fair value equal to $196,500.

If Mr. Ross’s employment is terminated within one year following the closing of a change in control by the company without cause, or by Mr. Ross for good reason, then Mr. Ross will be entitled to a payment of two (2) times his total remuneration. He will also be eligible to receive a pro-rata portion of his annual discretionary cash bonus for the year in which his employment terminates. If there had been a change in control of MDC Partners on December 31, 2016 and Mr. Ross’s employment terminated in connection with that change in control, the aggregate cash severance payment MDC would have paid him under the contract would be $883,000, based on his prior employment agreement. Furthermore, Mr. Ross will also be allowed to continue participating for one year after termination on the same basis as before he was terminated in all benefit plans. We will be obligated to pay him the economic equivalent of the benefits in these plans if Mr. Ross is unable to participate in the plans. The aggregate amount of this benefit would have been approximately $22,154 if Mr. Ross’s employment had terminated as of December 31, 2016.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Mr. Clare Copeland (Chairman), Mr. Larry Kramer and Mr. Irwin Simon served on the Human Resources & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors during 2016. None of the persons who served on the Human Resources & Compensation Committee at the time of such service are, or have been, an employee or officer of the Company or had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. In addition, none of the Company’s executive officers serves, or has served during the last completed fiscal year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

On June 5, 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2008 Key Partner Incentive Plan, which provides for the issuance of 900,000 Class A Shares. On June 5 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, which provides for the issuance of up to 3,000,000 Class A shares. The SARs Plan was initially adopted and approved effective as of January 1, 2003, and was subsequently amended and restated in 2004, 2006 and 2014. On June 1, 2016, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which authorizes the issuance of awards to employees, officers and directors of the Company with respect to 1,500,000 MDC Partners’ Class A Shares.

The following table sets out as at December 31, 2016 the number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and rights, the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options and rights and the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans.

Number of Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options
Warrants and Rights

Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
Warrants and Rights

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance
(Excluding Column (a))

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity Compensation Plans:

Approved by stockholders

Share options and restricted stock

120,511

⁽¹⁾

5.83

⁽²⁾

2,017,872

⁽³⁾

Not Approved by stockholders

—

(1)

Includes 83,011 restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

(2)

The weighted average exercise price relates only to outstanding stock options. The calculation of the weighted average exercise price does not include outstanding equity awards that are received or exercised for no consideration.

(3)

Restricted stock, RSUs and other forms of equity awards may be issued under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, 2008 Key Partner Incentive Plan, the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Appreciation Plan.

Indebtedness of Directors, Executive Officers and Senior Officers

There is currently no indebtedness owed to MDC by any of MDC’s Directors, executive officers or senior officers, and there was no such indebtedness owed to MDC as of December 31, 2016. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit the Company from making any new personal loans or extensions of credit to Directors or executive officers of the Company.

Insurance

MDC holds directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies that are designed to protect MDC Partners and its directors and officers against any legal action which may arise due to wrongful acts on the part of directors and/or officers of MDC. The policies are written for a current limit of $80 million, subject to a corporate deductible up to $1,000,000 per indemnifiable claims. In respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the cost to MDC of maintaining the policies was 1,069,622. The twelve-month premium cost of the current policy, effective from August 1, 2016 until July 31, 2017, is equal to $1,182,444.

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

The Board has adopted a written Related Party Transactions Policy to assist it in reviewing, approving and ratifying related party transactions. The Related Party Transactions Policy provides that all related party transactions covered by the policy must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee, except that any ordinary course transaction in which an operating subsidiary of the Company derives revenue from a related party may be approved on an annual basis by the Audit Committee. To facilitate compliance with this policy, Directors and executive officers of the Company must notify the Company’s General Counsel and CFO as soon as reasonably practicable about any potential related party transaction. If the Company’s General Counsel and CFO determine that the transaction constitutes a related party transaction, the transaction will be referred to the Audit Committee for its consideration. The Audit Committee will be provided with full details of the proposed related party transaction, including: the terms and conditions of the proposed transaction; the business purpose of the transaction; and the benefits to the Company and to the relevant related party.

In reviewing related party transactions, the Audit Committee will consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, among others:

•

The benefits of the transaction to the Company;

•

The terms of the transaction and whether they are fair (arm’s-length) and in the ordinary course of the Company’s business; and

•

The size and expected term of the transaction.

Generally, the Related Party Transactions Policy applies to any transaction that would be required by the SEC to be disclosed in which the Company was or is proposed to be, a participant and in which a “Related Party” had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. The policy also applies to any amendment or modification to an existing Related Party Transaction, regardless of whether such transaction has previously been approved.

Certain Related Party Transactions

The Company engaged in the following related party transactions in 2016, each of which was reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Related Party Transactions Policy described above:

Employee Relationships

Scott L. Kauffman is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. His daughter, Sarah Kauffman, has been employed by KBS (a subsidiary of the Company) since July 2011, and currently acts as Director of Operations, Attention Partners. In 2016, her total compensation, including salary, bonus and other benefits, totaled approximately $145,000. Her compensation is commensurate with that of her peers.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD

The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in serving as an oversight to MDC Partners’ accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions. The Audit Committee has implemented procedures to ensure that during the course of each fiscal year, it devotes the attention that it deems necessary or appropriate to each of the matters assigned to it under its charter including, whenever appropriate, meeting in executive sessions with MDC Partners’ independent auditors without the presence of MDC Partners’ management.

Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and for the report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with GAAP and for opining on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to oversee and review the financial reporting process and to review and discuss the status and completed copy of management’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and BDO USA, LLP, the Company’s independent registered accountants, management’s assessment of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including the matters more fully disclosed in Item 9A (Controls and Procedures) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

In overseeing the preparation of MDC Partners’ financial statements, the Audit Committee met with both management and MDC Partners’ outside auditors to review and discuss all financial statements prior to their issuance and to discuss significant accounting issues. Management advised the Audit Committee that all financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Audit Committee discussed the statements with both management and the outside auditors.

With respect to MDC Partners’ outside auditors, the Audit Committee, among other things, discussed with BDO USA, LLP matters relating to its independence, and received from BDO USA, LLP written disclosures and a letter from BDO USA, LLP as required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Standard No. 1301, “ Communications with Audit Committee ”, as amended, which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the annual audit of MDC Partners’ financial statements.

On the basis of their reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Board approve (and the Board has approved) the inclusion of MDC Partners’ audited financial statements in MDC Partners’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Effective April 1, 2006 the Company engaged BDO USA, LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to engage BDO USA, LLP was made by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the Company. The Committee and the Board have also approved, and submitted for shareholder approval, the selection of BDO USA, LLP as MDC Partners’ independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

The Audit Committee’s current charter is appended to this Circular as Exhibit A.

Audit Committee of the Board
Anne Marie O’Donovan (Chair)
Daniel Goldberg
Larry Kramer

ITEM 2 — APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
AND AUTHORIZING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE ITS REMUNERATION

Subject to the action of the shareholders, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board has recommended to the shareholders the appointment of BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accountants, to audit and report on the consolidated financial statements of MDC Partners for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 and to perform such other services as may be required of them. BDO USA, LLP has served as independent public accountants for MDC Partners since April 1, 2006. The Board has directed that management submit the appointment of the auditors for approval by the shareholders at the Meeting. Representatives of BDO USA, LLP are expected to be present at the meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate shareholder questions.

Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the accompanying proxy (provided the same is duly executed in their favor and is duly deposited) intend to vote FOR the appointment of BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accountants, as auditors of MDC Partners, to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of MDC Partners, at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors of MDC Partners.

In addition to retaining BDO USA, LLP to audit MDC Partners’ consolidated financial statements for 2015 and 2016, the Company retained BDO USA, LLP to provide advisory, auditing and consulting services in 2015 and 2016. These services included audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The following tables set forth the aggregate fees billed to MDC Partners by BDO USA, LLP for professional services in fiscal years 2015 and 2016:

BDO USA, LLP


	2015		2016
Audit Fees ⁽¹⁾	$	2,164,259	$	2,447,685
Tax Fees ⁽²⁾		—		—
Audit Related Fees ⁽³⁾		894,309	$	329,539
All Other Fees		—		—
Total	$	3,058,568	$	2,777,229

(1)

Fees for the annual financial statement audit, including internal control assessment related fees, quarterly financial statement reviews and regulatory comment letters.

(2)

Fees for services rendered for foreign tax services.

(3)

Fees for services rendered in connection with acquisition due diligence and other services in 2015. In 2016, includes fees for services rendered in connection with the prior SEC investigation.

All fees listed above have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has, however, delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve permitted non-audit services (as such services are defined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) provided that (i) the aggregate estimated amount of such fees will not exceed $25,000 and (ii) the Chairman of the Audit Committee reports any pre-approval so granted at the next scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee Charter provides for the Audit Committee to establish the auditors’ fees. Such fees have been based upon the complexity of the matters in question and the time incurred by the auditors.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” APPOINTMENT OF BDO USA, LLP AS MDC PARTNERS’ AUDITORS
AND AUTHORIZING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE BDO USA, LLP’S REMUNERATION.

ITEM 3 — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The guiding principles of the Company’s compensation policies and decisions include aligning each executive’s compensation with our business strategy and the interests of our shareholders and providing incentives needed to attract, motivate and retain key executives who are important to our long-term success. Consistent with this philosophy, a significant portion of the total incentive compensation for each of our executives is directly related to the Company’s earnings and to other performance factors that measure our progress against the goals of our strategic and operating plans, as well as performance against our peers.

Shareholders are urged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative, which discuss how our compensation design and practices reflect our compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that our compensation design and practices are effective in implementing our guiding principles.

In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as a matter of good corporate governance, we are asking shareholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion contained in this Proxy Statement, is hereby APPROVED.”

This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” resolution, is non-binding on the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our shareholders and will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” THE ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

ITEM 4 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE VOTES
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to recently adopted amendments to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking shareholders to vote on whether future advisory votes on executive compensation of the nature reflected in Item 3 above should occur every one year, every two years or every three years.

After careful consideration and dialogue with our shareholders, the Board of Directors has determined that continuing its current policy to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation every year is the most appropriate policy for the Company at this time, and recommends that shareholders vote for future advisory votes on executive compensation to occur every year. While the Company’s executive compensation programs are designed to promote a long-term connection between pay and performance, the Board of Directors recognizes that executive compensation disclosures are made annually. Holding an annual advisory vote on executive compensation provides the Company with more direct and immediate feedback on our compensation disclosures. We believe that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is consistent with our practice of seeking input and engaging in dialogue with our shareholders on corporate governance matters (including the Company’s practice of having all directors elected annually and annually providing shareholders the opportunity to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of independent auditors) and our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices.

This advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation is non-binding on the Board of Directors. Shareholders will be able to specify one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card: every one year, two years, three years or abstain. Shareholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation. Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully review the voting results. Notwithstanding the Board’s recommendation and the outcome of the shareholder vote, the Board may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with shareholders and the adoption of material changes to compensation programs.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EVERY “ONE YEAR” WITH RESPECT TO HOW FREQUENTLY FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SHOULD OCCUR.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the Company’s directors, executive officers and any persons holding 10% or more of the common stock are required to report their ownership of common stock and any changes in that ownership to the SEC within a prescribed period of time and to furnish the Company with copies of such reports. To the Company’s knowledge, based solely upon a review of copies of such reports received by the Company which were filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and upon written representations from such persons that no other reports were required, the Company has been advised that all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) have been timely filed with the SEC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by MDC Partners with the Securities and Exchange Commission for 2016 is available, without charge, to shareholders at MDC Partners’ website at www.mdc-partners.com , on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov , on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com , or upon written request to 745 Fifth Avenue, 19 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10151, Attention: Investor Relations. Financial information is provided in MDC Partners’ consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016. A copy of MDC Partners’ most recent consolidated financial statements, interim financial statements, and proxy statement and management information circular may also be obtained by shareholders, without charge, upon written request from the Secretary of MDC Partners or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov or the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com .

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Under certain circumstances, stockholders are entitled to present proposals at stockholder meetings. The 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is expected to be held on or about June 2, 2018. In accordance with the rules established by the SEC, any shareholder proposal submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act (“Rule 14a-8”) intended to be included in the proxy materials for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Secretary of the Company, 745 Fifth Avenue, 19 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10151, by December 28, 2017, in a form that complies with the Company’s Bylaws and applicable requirements. Any proposal submitted after December 28, 2017, will not be considered timely for the purposes of Rule 14a-8.

Moreover, unless a shareholder who wishes to present a proposal at the Annual Meeting outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 has submitted such proposal to us by the close of business on March 8, 2018, subject to applicable rules, we will have discretionary authority to vote on any such proposal with respect to all proxies submitted to us even when we do not include in our proxy statement advice on the nature of the matter and how we intend to exercise our discretion to vote on the matter.

GENERAL

Management knows of no matter to come before the Meeting other than the matters referred to in the accompanying Notice. If any matters which are not now known should properly come before the Meeting, the accompanying proxy instrument will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the person voting it.

The contents and sending of this Proxy Statement and Management Information Circular have been approved by the Board as of the date hereof.

By Order of the Board

[GRAPHIC MISSING]
Mitchell S. Gendel
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

New York, N.Y.
April 27, 2017

EXHIBIT A

CHARTER OF THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MDC PARTNERS INC.
AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED BY THE BOARD
OCTOBER 28, 2015

I. AUTHORITY

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of MDC Partners Inc. (the “Corporation”) has established an Audit Committee (the “Committee”). The Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors, as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. Consistent with the appointment of other Board committees, the members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board at the annual organizational meeting of the Board or at such other time as may be determined by the Board. The Chairman of the Committee shall be designated by the Board, provided that if the Board does not so designate a Chairman, the members of the Committee, by majority vote, may designate a Chairman. The presence in person or by telephone of a majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Committee. All actions of the Committee will require the vote of a majority of its members present at a meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present.

II. PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee’s purpose is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary obligations and oversight responsibilities with respect to (1) the integrity of the Corporation’s financial statements, (2) the Corporation’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (4) the performance of the Corporation’s internal audit function and independent auditors. The Committee will also prepare the report that SEC rules require to be included in the Corporation’s annual proxy statement.

The Committee is directly responsible for the appointment (subject to shareholder approval), compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Corporation’s independent auditor engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Corporation. In accordance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the rules of the Nasdaq, the independent auditor must report directly to the Committee and is accountable to the Committee (as representatives of the shareholders of the Corporation). The Committee’s oversight responsibilities include the authority to approve all audit engagement fees and terms, as well as all permitted non-audit engagements and resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting.

It is the objective of the Committee to maintain free and open means of communications among the Board, the independent auditor, internal audit and the financial and senior management of the Corporation.

III. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE

Independence

Each member of the Committee shall be an “independent” director within the meaning of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act, Rule 10A-3(b)(1) thereunder, and Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15) subject to applicable exceptions.

Financial Literacy and Expertise

All members of the Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. At least one member of the Committee shall be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 16A of SEC Form 20-F and at least one member shall have accounting or related financial experience as required under applicable Nasdaq rules.

The Committee shall ensure that the Corporation provides to applicable regulatory authorities any required certification relating to adequacy of this Charter and composition of the Committee.

A-1

IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the Committee’s policies and procedures should remain flexible, so that it may be in a position to best react or respond to changing circumstances or conditions. While there is no “blueprint” to be followed by the Committee in carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the following should be considered within the authority of the Committee (it being understood that the Committee may diverge from such matters as considered appropriate given the circumstances):

Selection and Evaluation of Auditors

(a)

Select the firm of independent public accountants to audit the books and accounts of the Corporation and its subsidiaries for each fiscal year;

(b)

Annually review and approve the terms of engagement and approve the remuneration of Corporation’s independent auditor; and

(c)

Review the performance of the Corporation’s independent auditor and terminate or replace the independent auditor when circumstances warrant.

Independence of Auditors

(a)

Ensure that the Corporation’s independent auditor is independent and capable of exercising impartial judgment on all issues encompassed within its engagement. Regard shall be had to all applicable rules and regulations relating to independence, including those with respect to financial relationships, employment relationships, business relationships, the provision of non-audit services, contingent fees, partner rotation and compensation;

(b)

Ensure that the independent auditor delivers to the Committee on a periodic basis a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Corporation, consistent with the PCAOB Independence Standards Board Standard 1;

(c)

Actively engage in a dialogue with the independent auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditor; and

(d)

Take appropriate action to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence.

General Responsibility for Oversight of Auditors

(a)

The Corporation’s independent auditor shall be ultimately accountable to the Committee and the Committee shall be responsible for the appointment (subject to shareholder approval), compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the Corporation’s independent auditor;

(b)

Pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor. The Committee may approve policies and procedures for the pre-approval of services to be rendered by the independent auditor, which policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service. All non-audit services to be provided to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries by the independent auditor or any of its subsidiaries which are not covered by pre-approval policies and procedures approved by the Committee shall be subject to pre-approval by the Committee; and

(c)

Resolve all disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting.

Oversight of Annual Audit and Quarterly Financial Statements

(a)

Review and approve the annual audit plan of the Corporation’s independent auditor, including the audit and non-audit services that the auditor is providing for the Corporation and its subsidiaries, the level of responsibility assumed by the auditor under generally accepted auditing standards and a summary of the audit approach;

A-2

(b)

Before the release of annual financial statements, discuss with the independent auditor all matters required by AICPA AU Section 380 (including the independent auditor’s responsibility under GAAP, the selection of and changes in significant accounting policies or their application, management judgments and accounting estimates, significant audit adjustments, the independent auditor’s responsibility for information other than financial statements, disagreements with management, consultation with other accountants, and difficulties encountered in performing the audit) and CICA Handbook section 5751 (which governs the communications between the independent auditors and the Committee);

(c)

Receive a report from the Corporation’s independent auditor, prior to the filing of the audit report with the SEC regarding:

(i)

all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Corporation; and

(ii)

other material communications between the independent auditor and management;

(d)

Review and discuss with management the quarterly financial statements. Discuss with the independent auditor the results of its procedures on the statements.

(e)

Prior to any disclosure, review and recommend to the Board for approval:

(i)

the annual financial statements and related documents (MD&A, AIF, etc.);

(ii)

the quarterly financial reports and related documents (including MD&A); and

(iii)

other disclosure documents containing financial information that would likely be material to either the quarterly or annual financial statements.

Oversight and Monitoring of Other Financial Disclosures

(a)

Review and recommend to the Board for approval all financial information of the Corporation contained in any prospectus, annual information form, information circular or similar document of the Corporation, and any earnings press release to be issued in conjunction with the annual and quarterly results;

(b)

Annually or more frequently as required, discuss with management the types of financial and operational information and earnings guidance to be disclosed to credit rating agencies that are subject to confidentiality agreements. The Committee need not discuss in advance with management each instance in which the Corporation gives earnings guidance to credit rating agencies, unless the substance of a presentation to any credit rating agency constitutes a material shift in the Corporation strategy not previously approved by the Board;

(c)

Annually or more frequently as required, discuss with management the types of financial and operational information and earnings guidance to be disclosed to analysts or shareholders (in groups or one-on-one) and the processes for ensuring that new material information is first or simultaneously disseminated in the public domain and subsequently included on the Corporation’s website. The Committee need not discuss in advance with management each instance in which the Corporation gives earnings guidance to analysts, unless the substance of a presentation to any analyst constitutes a material shift in the Corporation strategy not previously approved by the Board; and

(d)

Review the public disclosure required in connection with the Committee’s pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditor.

Oversight of Financial Reporting Processes and Internal Controls

(a)

Review with management, internal audit and the independent auditor the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporation’s accounting and internal control policies and procedures, including controls and security of the computerized information systems.

(b)

Review with management its compliance with prescribed policies, procedures and internal control;

A-3

(c)

Review with management, internal audit and the independent auditor any reportable conditions and material weaknesses affecting internal control;

(d)

Establish and maintain free and open means of communication between and among the Board, the Committee, the Corporation’s independent auditor, internal audit and the Corporation’s management; and

(e)

Review with management major financial and asset related risks and the steps taken to monitor and control such risks.

Oversight of Internal Audit

(a)

Review and discuss with the SVP, Compliance & Risk Management the scope of work of the internal audit function, its plans and the issues identified as a result of its work and how management is addressing these issues;

(b)

Review the budget, qualifications, activities, effectiveness and organizational structure of the internal audit function;

(c)

Review and approve the Internal Audit charter and any proposed amendments thereto;

(d)

Review the performance and approve the appointment or dismissal of the SVP, Compliance & Risk Management;

(e)

Meet separately with the SVP, Compliance & Risk Management at least quarterly basis; and

(f)

Review summaries of significant internal audit reports and management’s responses.

Other Matters

(a)

Meet with outside counsel when appropriate, to review legal and regulatory matters, including any matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements of the Corporation;

(b)

Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Corporation of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

(c)

Review and approve all related party transactions with any director or nominee, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of any class of the Corporations voting securities or any family member of the foregoing persons, other than those related party transactions in respect of which the Board has delegated review and approval to a special committee of independent directors.

(d)

Conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities, including retaining outside counsel or other consultants or experts for this purpose.

(e)

Discuss with management the Corporation’s policies and processes with respect to risk assessment and risk management, and recommend appropriate modifications (if any); and

(f)

Perform such additional activities, and consider such other matters, within the scope of its responsibilities, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.

With respect to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the Committee should:

(a)

Report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate;

(b)

Exercise reasonable diligence in gathering and considering all material information;

(c)

Understand and weigh alternative courses of conduct that may be available;

(d)

Focus on weighing the benefit versus harm to the Corporation and its shareholders when considering alternative recommendations or courses of action;

(e)

If the Committee deems it appropriate, secure independent expert advice and understand the expert’s findings and the basis for such findings, including retaining independent counsel, accountants or others to assist the Committee in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities;

A-4

(f)

Provide management and the Corporation’s independent auditor with appropriate opportunities to meet privately with the Committee; and

(g)

Review the Charter of the Audit Committee annually and recommend it to the Board.

V. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee shall meet with such frequency and at such intervals as it shall determine is necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. As part of its purpose to foster open communications, the Committee shall meet at least quarterly with management, internal audit and the Corporation’s independent auditor in separate executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these groups or persons believe should be discussed privately. The Chairman should work with the Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and management to establish the agendas for Committee meetings. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary. The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and the Committee’s activities and provide copies of such minutes to the Board.

VI. ADVISORS AND FUNDING

The Committee shall have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. The Corporation shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of any compensation (i) to any independent auditor engaged for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Corporation, and (ii) to any independent advisors employed by the Committee.

VII. DISCLOSURE AND REVIEW OF CHARTER

The charter shall be (1) published in the Corporation’s annual report or information circular once every three years or following a material amendment to it; or (2) be posted in an up-to-date format on the Corporation’s web site. The Committee should review and reassess annually the adequacy of this Charter as required by the applicable rules of Nasdaq.

While the Committee has the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, the Committee is not responsible for planning or conducting the audit or for determining whether the Corporation’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management has the responsibility for preparing the financial statements and implementing internal controls and the independent auditor have the responsibility of auditing the financial statements. Similarly, it is not the responsibility of the Committee to resolve disagreements, if any, between management and the independent auditor or to ensure that the Corporation complies with all laws and regulations.

A-5

EXHIBIT B

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

DISCLOSURE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
(CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 58-101)

The directors of MDC Partners Inc. consider good corporate governance to be central to the effective and efficient operation of the Company. The business of the Company is supervised by its Board of Directors, directly and through its committees. The Canadian Securities Administrators require disclosure on an annual basis of the Company’s corporate governance practices in accordance with Form 58-101 — Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices . The Company’s corporate governance practices are set out below.

The Board of Directors

In determining whether a particular director is independent, the Board examines the factual circumstances in the context of that particular year. The Board proposed for election in this Circular is composed of seven (7) members, all of whom are considered to be independent directors with the exception of Mr Kauffman, who is a member of management. The following directors of MDC Partners also serve as directors (or senior executive officers) of companies that are reporting issuers (or the equivalent) in Canada or the U.S.:

Scott L. Kauffman : currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He is also Chairman of two venture-backed internet companies.

Clare R. Copeland : currently serves as Vice Chairman of Falls Management Company. He is also a director of Chesswood and a trustee of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Telesat.

Daniel S. Goldberg ; currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Telesat.

Bradley J. Gross: currently serves as a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs & Co. He is also a director of Americold Realty Trust, Griffon Corporation, Neovia Logistics Holdings, PSAV Holdings and Proquest Holdings.

Larry S. Kramer : currently serves as Chairman of The Street Inc. He is also a director of Gannett and a trustee at both Syracuse University and Harvard Business School Publishing.

Anne Marie O’Donovan : currently serves as President and director of O’Donovan Advisory Services Ltd. She is also a director of Indigo Books & Music Inc., Aviva Canada and Cadillac Fairview.

Irwin D. Simon : currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of The Hain Celestial Group.

All independent directors frequently meet at the beginning or end of each regularly scheduled quarterly Board or Committee meeting without non-independent directors and management present. The Board has access to information independent of management through MDC Partners’ auditor who reports to the Audit Committee. The specific responsibilities of the Board include reviewing and approving all major strategic decisions, including any change in the strategic direction of MDC Partners and acquisitions and/or divestitures and other matters (such as guarantees) in excess of $5 million; reviewing and approving annual budgets, including capital expenditure plans; reviewing and approving operating results for each quarter and year to date. As part of its ongoing activities, the Board regularly receives and comments upon reports of management as to the performance of MDC Partners’ business and management’s expectations. The Board is therefore of the view that the appropriate structures and procedures are in place to ensure that it can function independent of management.

Effective as of July 20, 2015, the Board appointed Mr. Irwin Simon as the Presiding Director of the Board. Mr. Simon is independent.

Board Mandate

The Board of Directors recently adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines as a framework within which the Board and its Committees will conduct its business. A copy of the Guidelines is available free of charge at MDC Partners’ website at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#investors/corporate-governance .

B-1

Position Descriptions

The Company’s bylaws and the Charters of each Board committee provide a detailed description of the roles and responsibilities of the Board (including the Chairman), management and each committee of the Board and their respective chairs.

The primary functions of the CEO are to lead the management of our businesses and affairs in accordance with the Company’s strategic plan and operating and capital budgets, as approved by the Board.

The Board has developed a written position description and mandate, which sets forth the CEO’s key responsibilities. These responsibilities include the following: (a) develop and recommend to the Board a long-term strategy and vision for the Company that leads to creation of shareholder value; (b) develop and recommend to the Board annual business plans and budgets that support the Company’s long-term strategy; (c) consistently strive to achieve the Company’s financial and operating goals and objectives; and (d) develop the corporate and partner management teams and succession plans.

The Human Resources & Compensation Committee (described below) is responsible for establishing, monitoring and evaluating objectives and standards of performance for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers on an annual basis. Salary, bonus, loans or other payments for the benefit of the Chief Executive Officer must be reviewed and approved by the Human Resources & Compensation Committee. Related party expenses for services rendered and in the nature of expense reimbursement must also be approved by the Human Resources & Compensation Committee.

Orientation and Continuing Education

New directors to MDC Partners have generally been executives with extensive business experience and directorship responsibilities on the boards of other public and private institutions. Orientation for these individuals is provided through a review of past Board materials and other private and public documents concerning MDC Partners. In addition, Board members are encouraged to attend (at the cost and expense of the Company) continuing education programs identified by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each year to ensure that they maintain the skills necessary for them to meet their obligations as directors.

Ethical Business Conduct

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct, which applies to all directors, officers (including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Code of Conduct was adopted in order to help directors, officers and employees resolve ethical issues. The Code of Conduct covers topics including, but not limited to, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of information and compliance with laws. The Company’s policy is to not permit any waiver of the Code of Conduct for any director or executive officer, except in extremely limited circumstances. The Board, through the Audit Committee, monitors and assesses and claims alleged under the Code of Conduct. Any waiver of this Code of Conduct for directors or officers of the Company must be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Amendments to and waivers of the Code of Conduct will be publicly disclosed as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Code of Conduct is available free of charge on the Company’s website at http://www.mdc-partners.com , or by writing to MDC Partners Inc., 745 Fifth Avenue, 19 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10151, Attention: Investor Relations.

Nomination of Directors

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of three (3) members, all of whom are considered to be independent. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board with respect to developments in the area of corporate governance and the practices of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the Board as a whole and for reporting to the Board with respect to appropriate candidates for nominations to the Board. The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Irwin Simon (Chairman), Larry Kramer and Anne Marie O’Donovan. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s current charter is available at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#/corporate_info/committees. The Company will disclose any amendments to,

B-2

or waivers of, the charter on its website at www.mdc-partners.com in accordance with applicable law and the requirements of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies, selects and recommends to the Board individuals qualified to serve both on the Board and on Board committees, including persons suggested by shareholders and others. In identifying candidates for nominations to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to maintain at all times a Board with a diverse range of experience, talent, expertise and background appropriate for the business of the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not require any specific minimum qualifications or specific qualities or skills, but reviews each person’s qualifications on the whole, including a candidate’s particular experience, skills, expertise, diversity, personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, conflicts of interest and such other relevant factors that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board. Following that review, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then selects nominees and recommends them to the Board for election by the shareholders or appointment by the Board, as the case may be. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also reviews the suitability of each Board member for continued service as a director when that member’s term expires or that member experiences a significant change in status (for example, a change in employment). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not implemented any particular additional policies or procedures with respect to suggestions received from shareholders with respect to Board or committee nominees.

Pursuant to its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may conduct or authorize investigations or studies into matters with its scope of responsibilities and may retain, at the Company’s expense, such independent counsel or other consultants or advisers at it may deem necessary from time to time. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the sole authority to retain or terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates, including the sole authority to approve its fees and retention terms, with the Company bearing the cost of such fees.

Director Term Limits

The Board believes that the need to have experienced directors who are familiar with the business of the Company must be balanced with the need for fresh perspectives and a proactive approach. The Board has not adopted formal director term limits or other mechanisms of board renewal, in part, because the imposition of director term limits on a board implicitly discounts the value of experience and continuity among board members and runs the risk of excluding experienced and potentially valuable board members as a result of an arbitrary determination. In addition, imposing this restriction means the Board would lose the contributions of longer serving directors who have developed a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Company over time. The Board does not believe that long tenure impairs a director’s ability to act independently of management.

Policies Regarding the Representation of Women on the Board

The Company has not adopted a written policy relating to the identification and nomination of women directors to the Company’s board of directors but rather has an informal, unwritten policy. The Company generally considers diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural background and professional experience in evaluating candidates for board membership. As evidence of this approach, the Board nominated Ms. O’Donovan to join the Board in 2016.

Consideration of the Representation of Women in the Director Identification and Selection Process

In identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the board of directors, the Board considers the level of representation of women on the board, in addition to the competencies, skills and personal and other diverse qualities required for new directors in order to add value to the Company in light of opportunities and risks facing the Company. Selection of female candidates to the board will be, in part, dependent upon the pool of female candidates with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience. The ultimate decision will be based on merit and contribution the chosen candidate will bring to the board.

B-3

Consideration of the Representation of Women in Executive Officer Appointments

In appointing executive officers to the management team, the Company considers the level of representation of women in executive officer positions, and also takes into account the following factors: the competencies, skills and personal and other diverse qualities required for new executive officers in order to add value to the Company in light of opportunities and risks facing the Company.

Issuer’s Targets Regarding the Representation of Women on the Board and in Executive Officer Positions

The Company has not adopted a target for women on the board of directors because the Company does not believe that any director nominee should be chosen nor excluded because of gender. In selecting a director nominee, such as recently appointed Ms. O’Donovan, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee focuses on skills, expertise and background that would complement the existing Board. Directors will be recruited based on their ability and potential for meaningful contributions.

Similarly, the Company has not adopted a target for women in executive officer positions because the Company does not believe that any candidate for an executive officer position should be chosen nor excluded because of gender. In selecting candidates, the Company considers the skills, expertise and background that would complement the existing management team. Executive officers will be recruited based on their ability and contributions.

Number of Women on the Board and in Executive Officer Positions

As of the date of this Proxy Statement and Management Information Circular, (i) there is one woman on the Company’s Board of Directors, representing 16.7% of the directors and (ii) six (6) of the Company’s executive officers are women, representing 30% of the Company’s executive officers.

Compensation

The Human Resources & Compensation Committee is composed of three members, all of whom are considered to be independent. The Human Resources & Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board on, among other things, the compensation of senior executives. The Human Resources & Compensation Committee discusses personnel and human resources matters including recruitment and development, management succession and benefits plans and grants awards under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and the SARs Plan. Salary, bonus or other payments for the benefit of senior management are reviewed and approved by the Human Resources & Compensation Committee. The Human Resources & Compensation Committee reviews the compensation of members of the Board on an annual basis and makes recommendations to the Board. The Board considers their remuneration appropriate given the time commitment, risk and responsibilities associated with the position. The current members of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee are Clare Copeland (Chairman), Larry Kramer and Irwin Simon. The Human Resources & Compensation Committee’s current charter is available at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#investors/corporate-governance. The Company will disclose any amendments to, or waivers of, the charter on its website at www.mdc-partners.com in accordance with applicable law and the requirements of the NASDAQ corporate governance standards.

Other Board Committees

The Board conducts its business through meetings of the Board and three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Human Resources & Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Copies of the charters of these committees are available, free of charge at MDC Partners’ website located at http://www.mdc-partners.com/#investors/corporate-governance .

B-4

In addition, from time to time, special committees may be established under the direction of the Board when necessary to address specific issues.

Assessments

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing and recommending standards of performance of the Board, its committees and the individual directors through administration of an annual questionnaire. It is the responsibility of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to assess the effectiveness of the Board as a whole and the committees of the Board. Participation of directors is expected at all Board and committee meetings. Directors are asked to notify MDC Partners if they are unable to attend, and attendance at meetings is duly recorded.

B-5

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MDCA MDC Partners Inc

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

MDC PARTNERS INC.

MDC PARTNERS INC. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

MDC PARTNERS INC. PROXY STATEMENT AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 7, 2017 GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

MANNER IN WHICH PROXIES WILL BE VOTED

ALTERNATE PROXY

REVOCABILITY OF PROXY

BENEFICIAL OWNERS

CURRENCY

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL AND VOTING SHARES

EXPENSES

PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON ITEM 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Information Concerning Nominees for Election as Directors

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ELECTION OF THE PROPOSED DIRECTORS.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Information about the Board and Corporate Governance

Meetings

Committees of the Board

Membership on Standing Board Committees

Audit Committee

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Human Resources & Compensation Committee

Special Committee

Board Leadership, Executive Sessions and Communications with the Board

Director Nominations

Compensation of Directors

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Continued Improvements to Governance and Compensation Practices in Response to Shareholder Feedback:

OVERVIEW OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Compensation Philosophy

Risk Assessment

Process for Determining the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers

ELEMENTS OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAM FOR OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

REPORT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES & COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2016

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Scott L. Kauffman

David Doft

Mitchell Gendel

Robert Kantor

David Ross

2016 LTIP Equity Incentive Awards

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2016 FISCAL YEAR-END

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL YEAR 2016

PENSION BENEFITS IN 2016

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION IN 2016

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

Scott L. Kauffman

David Doft

Mitchell Gendel

Robert Kantor

David Ross

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

Indebtedness of Directors, Executive Officers and Senior Officers

Insurance

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

Certain Related Party Transactions

Employee Relationships

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD

ITEM 2 — APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS AND AUTHORIZING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE ITS REMUNERATION

BDO USA, LLP

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

MDC PARTNERS INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

MDC PARTNERS INC.

PROXY STATEMENT AND
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR

Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on June 7, 2017

GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

ITEM 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” ELECTION OF THE PROPOSED DIRECTORS.

REPORT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES &
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 2 — APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
AND AUTHORIZING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE ITS REMUNERATION

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” APPOINTMENT OF BDO USA, LLP AS MDC PARTNERS’ AUDITORS
AND AUTHORIZING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE BDO USA, LLP’S REMUNERATION.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” THE ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

ITEM 4 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE VOTES
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

CHARTER OF THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MDC PARTNERS INC.
AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED BY THE BOARD
OCTOBER 28, 2015

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

DISCLOSURE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
(CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 58-101)