Back to GetFilings.com

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to               

Commission File Number 0-30242
Lamar Advertising Company

Commission File Number 1-12407

SECURITIES OF LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

None

SECURITIES OF LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

Class A common stock, $.001 par value

SECURITIES OF LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

None

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

None

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Lamar Advertising Company’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

Indicate by check mark whether Lamar Advertising Company is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 126-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether Lamar Media Corp. is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 126-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes [  ] No [X]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Lamar Advertising Company as of June 30, 2003: $2,897,761,305

The number of shares of Lamar Advertising Company’s Class A common stock outstanding as of February 20, 2004: 87,546,504

The number of shares of the Lamar Advertising Company’s Class B common stock outstanding as of February 20, 2004: 16,147,073

This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by (i) Lamar Advertising Company and (ii) Lamar Media Corp. (which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company). Lamar Media Corp. meets the conditions set forth in general instruction I(1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is, therefore, filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by such instruction.

Table of Contents

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Lamar Advertising Company’s proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 27, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This combined Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lamar Advertising Company and Lamar Media Corp. contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These are statements that relate to future periods and include statements about the Company’s, and Lamar Media’s:

	•		expected operating results;
	•		market opportunities;
	•		acquisition opportunities;
	•		ability to compete; and
	•		stock price.

Generally, the words anticipates, believes, expects, intends, estimates, projects, plans and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the Company’s and Lamar Media’s actual results, performance or achievements or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others:

•		risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s significant indebtedness;
•		the demand for outdoor advertising;
•		the performance of the U.S. economy generally and the level of expenditures on outdoor advertising particularly;
•		the Company’s ability to renew expiring contracts at favorable rates;
•		the integration of companies that the Company acquires and its ability to recognize cost savings or operating efficiencies as a result of these acquisitions;
•		the Company’s need for and ability to obtain additional funding for acquisitions or operations; and
•		the regulation of the outdoor advertising industry.

The forward-looking statements contained in this combined Annual Report on Form 10-K speak only as of the date of this combined Annual Report. Lamar Advertising Company and Lamar Media Corp. expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in this combined Annual Report to reflect any change in their expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

2

Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

Lamar Advertising Company, referred to herein as the Company or Lamar Advertising, is one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the United States based on number of displays and has operated under the Lamar name since 1902. As of December 31, 2003, the Company owned and operated over 147,000 billboard advertising displays in 43 states, operated over 98,000 logo advertising displays in 20 states and the province of Ontario, Canada, and operated approximately 13,000 transit advertising displays in 14 states.

The Company makes its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports available free of charge through its website, www.lamar.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing them with or furnishing them to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information contained on the website is not part of this report.

The three principal areas that make up the Company’s business are:

		• Billboard advertising. The Company offers customers a fully integrated service, covering their billboard display requirements from ad copy production to placement and maintenance. The Company’s billboard advertising displays are comprised of bulletins and posters. As a result of their greater impact and higher cost, bulletins are usually located on major highways. Posters are usually concentrated on major traffic arteries or on city streets to target pedestrian traffic.
		• Logo signs. The Company is the largest provider of logo sign services in the United States, operating 20 of the 25 privatized state logo sign contracts. Logo signs are erected near highway exits to direct motor traffic to service and tourist attractions, as well as to advertise gas, food, camping and lodging.
		• Transit advertising. The Company provides transit advertising in 38 transit markets. Transit displays appear on the exterior or interior of public transportation vehicles or stations.

The Company’s business has grown rapidly through a combination of internal growth and acquisitions. The Company’s growth has been enhanced by strategic acquisitions that resulted in increased operating efficiencies, greater geographic diversification and increased market penetration. Historically, focus has been on small to mid-sized markets where acquisition opportunities have been pursued in order to establish a leadership position. Since January 1, 1997, the Company has successfully completed over 538 acquisitions of outdoor advertising businesses and assets. The Company’s acquisitions have expanded its operations in major markets and it currently has a presence in 32 of the top 50 outdoor advertising markets in the United States. The Company’s large national footprint gives it the ability to offer cross-market advertising opportunities to both local and national advertising customers.

The Company has been in operation since 1902 and completed a reorganization on July 20, 1999 to create a new holding company structure. At that time, Lamar Advertising Company was renamed Lamar Media Corp. and all its stockholders became stockholders in a new holding company. The new holding company then took the Lamar Advertising Company name and Lamar Media Corp. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company.

Strategy

The Company’s objective is to be a leading provider of outdoor advertising services in the markets it serves. The Company’s strategy to achieve this goal includes the following elements:

Continue to provide high quality local sales and service. The Company seeks to identify and closely monitor the needs of its customers and to provide them with a full complement of high quality advertising services. Local advertising constituted approximately 82% of its net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003, which management believes is higher than the industry average. The Company believes that the experience of its regional and local managers has contributed greatly to its success. For example, the Company’s regional managers have been with the Company for an average of 23 years. In an effort to provide high quality sales service at the local level, the Company employed 524 local account executives as of December 31, 2003. Local account executives are typically supported by additional local staff and have the ability to draw upon the resources of the central office, as well as offices in its other markets, in the event business opportunities or customers’ needs support such an allocation of resources.

Continue a centralized control and decentralized management structure. The Company’s management believes that for its particular business, centralized control and a decentralized organization provides for greater economies of scale and is more

3

Table of Contents

responsive to local market demands. Therefore, the Company maintains centralized accounting and financial control over its local operations, but the local managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations in each local market and are compensated according to that market’s financial performance.

Continue to focus on internal growth. Within its existing markets, the Company seeks to increase its revenue and improve its cash flow by employing highly targeted local marketing efforts to improve its display occupancy rates and by increasing advertising rates. This strategy is facilitated through its local offices, which allows the Company to respond quickly to the demands of its local customer base. In addition, the Company routinely invests in upgrading its existing displays and constructing new displays in order to provide high quality service to its current customers and to attract new advertisers. From January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2003, the Company has invested over $489.3 million in improvements to its existing displays and in constructing new displays.

Continue to pursue strategic acquisitions. The Company intends to enhance its growth by pursuing strategic acquisitions, which it anticipates will result in increased operating efficiencies, greater geographic diversification and increased market penetration. In addition to acquiring outdoor advertising assets in new markets, the Company purchases complementary outdoor advertising assets within its existing markets or in contiguous markets. The Company believes that acquisitions offer opportunities for inter-market cross-selling. Although the advertising industry is becoming more consolidated, the Company believes there will be continuing opportunities for implementing its acquisition strategy given the industry’s continued fragmentation among smaller advertising companies. From January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003, the Company completed 84 acquisitions of advertising businesses and assets for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $188.2 million. Certain of the Company’s principal acquisitions since January 1, 2003 are described below.

Delite Outdoor, Inc.- On March 3, 2003, the Company purchased the stock of Delite Outdoor, Inc. for $18.0 million. The purchase price consisted of 588,543 shares of Lamar Advertising Class A common stock valued at $18.0 million.

Outdoor Media Group, Inc. - On May 1, 2003, the Company purchased the assets of Outdoor Media Group, Inc. for $40.0 million. The purchase price consisted of 307,134 shares of Lamar Advertising Class A common stock as well as approximately $30.0 million cash.

Adams Outdoor, Inc. - On June 2, 2003, the Company purchased the stock of Adams Outdoor, Inc. for approximately $40.1 million. The purchase price included 501,626 shares of Lamar Advertising Class A common stock and approximately $22.6 million cash.

Continue to pursue other outdoor advertising opportunities. The Company plans to pursue additional logo sign contracts. Logo sign opportunities arise periodically, both from states initiating new logo sign programs and states converting from government-owned and operated programs to privately-owned and operated programs. Furthermore, the Company plans to pursue additional tourist oriented directional sign programs in both the United States and Canada and also other motorist information signing programs as opportunities present themselves. In an effort to maintain market share, the Company has entered the transit advertising business through the operation of displays on bus shelters, benches and buses in 38 of its outdoor advertising markets.

COMPANY OPERATIONS

Billboard Advertising

Inventory:

The Company operates the following types of billboard advertising displays:

Bulletins generally are 14 feet high and 48 feet wide (672 square feet) and consist of panels on which advertising copy is displayed. The advertising copy is printed with computer-generated graphics on a single sheet of vinyl that is wrapped around the structure. On occasion, to attract more attention, some of the panels may extend beyond the linear edges of the display face and may include three-dimensional embellishments. Because of their greater impact and higher cost, bulletins are usually located on major highways.

Posters generally are 12 feet high by 25 feet wide (300 square feet) and are the most common type of billboard. Advertising copy for these posters consists of lithographed or silk-screened paper sheets supplied by the advertiser that are pasted and applied like wallpaper to the face of the display, or single sheets of vinyl with computer-generated advertising copy that are wrapped around the structure. Standardized posters are concentrated on major traffic arteries or on city streets and target pedestrian traffic.

4

Table of Contents

For the year ended December 31, 2003 approximately 72% of the Company’s billboard advertising net revenues were derived from bulletin sales and 28% from poster sales.

The physical structures on which the advertising displays are located are owned by the Company and are built on locations the Company either owns or leases. In each local office one employee typically performs site leasing activities for the markets served by that office. See Item 2. – “Properties.”

Bulletin space is generally sold as individually selected displays for the duration of the advertising contract. Bulletins may also be sold as part of a rotary plan where advertising copy is periodically rotated from one location to another within a particular market. Poster space is generally sold in packages called showings, which comprise a given number of displays in a market area. Posters provide advertisers with access either to a specified percentage of the general population or to a specific targeted audience. Displays making up a showing are placed in well-traveled areas and are distributed so as to reach a wide audience in a particular market. Bulletin space is generally sold for 6 to 12 month periods. Poster space averages between 30 and 90 days.

Production:

In the majority of the Company’s markets, its local production staffs perform the full range of activities required to create and install billboard advertising displays. Production work includes creating the advertising copy design and layout, coordinating its printing and installing the designs on displays. The Company provides its production services to local advertisers and to advertisers that are not represented by advertising agencies, since national advertisers represented by advertising agencies often use preprinted designs that require only installation. The Company’s creative and production personnel typically develop new designs or adopt copy from other media for use on billboards. The Company’s artists also often assist in the development of marketing presentations, demonstrations and strategies to attract new customers.

With the increased use of vinyl and pre-printed advertising copy furnished to the outdoor advertising company by the advertiser or its agency, outdoor advertising companies require less labor-intensive production work. In addition, increased use of vinyl and preprinted copy is also attracting more customers to the outdoor advertising medium. The Company believes this trend over time will reduce operating expenses associated with production activities.

Categories of Business:

The following table sets forth the top ten categories of business from which the Company derived its billboard advertising revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the respective percentages of such revenue. These categories accounted for approximately 73% of the Company’s billboard advertising net revenues in the year ended December 31, 2003. No one advertiser accounted for more than 1% of the Company’s billboard advertising net revenues in that period.

Logo Signs

The Company entered the business of logo sign advertising in 1988. The Company is the largest provider of logo sign services in the United States, operating 20 of the 25 privatized state logo contracts. The Company operates over 28,000 logo sign structures containing over 98,000 logo advertising displays in the United States and Canada.

5

Table of Contents

The Company has been awarded contracts to erect and operate logo signs in the province of Ontario, Canada and the following states:

The Company also operates the tourism signing contracts for the states of Colorado, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey and Ohio, as well as for the province of Ontario, Canada.

State logo sign contracts represent the contract right to erect and operate logo signs within a state. The term of the contracts vary, but generally range from five to ten years, with additional renewal terms. The logo sign contracts generally provide for termination by the state prior to the end of the term of the contract, in most cases with compensation to be paid to the Company. At the end of the term of the contract, ownership of the structures is transferred to the state. Depending on the contract in question, the Company may or may not be entitled to compensation at the end of the contract term. Of the Company’s logo sign contracts in place at December 31, 2003, three are due to terminate in 2004, one in April, one in June and one in December and one is subject to renewal in April 2004. The Company also designs and produces logo sign plates for its customers throughout the country, as well as customers in states which have not yet privatized their logo sign programs.

Transit Advertising

The Company entered into the transit advertising business in 1993. The Company provides transit advertising on bus shelters, benches and buses in 38 transit markets. The Company’s production staff provides a full range of creative and installation services to its transit advertising customers.

COMPETITION

Billboard Advertising

The Company competes in each of its markets with other outdoor advertisers, as well as other media, including broadcast and cable television, radio, print media and direct mail marketers. In addition, the Company also competes with a wide variety of out-of-home media, including advertising in shopping centers, malls, airports, stadiums, movie theaters and supermarkets, as well as on taxis, trains and buses. Advertisers compare relative costs of available media and cost-per-thousand impressions, particularly when delivering a message to customers with distinct demographic characteristics. In competing with other media, outdoor advertising relies on its relative cost efficiency and its ability to reach a broad segment of the population in a specific market or to target a particular geographic area or population with a particular set of demographic characteristics within that market.

The outdoor advertising industry is fragmented, consisting of several large outdoor advertising and media companies with operations in multiple markets, as well as smaller and local companies operating a limited number of structures in single or a few local markets. Although the advertising industry is becoming more consolidated, according to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) as of December 31, 2003, there were approximately 645 companies in the outdoor advertising industry operating approximately 1,165,444 outdoor displays. In a number of its markets, the Company encounters direct competition from other major outdoor media companies, including Infinity Broadcasting Corp. (formerly Outdoor Systems, Inc.) and Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (formerly Eller Media Company) both of which may have greater total resources than the Company. The Company believes that its strong emphasis on sales and customer service and its position as a major provider of advertising services in each of its primary markets enables it to compete effectively with the other outdoor advertising companies, as well as other media, within those markets. However, certain of the Company’s large competitors with other media assets such as radio and television have the ability to cross-sell their different advertising products to their customers.

Logo Signs

The Company faces competition in obtaining new logo sign contracts and in bidding for renewals of expiring contracts. The Company faces competition from three other providers of logo signs in seeking state-awarded logo service contracts. In addition, local companies within each of the states that solicit bids will compete against the Company in the open-bid process. Competition from these sources is also encountered at the end of each contract period. In marketing logo signs to advertisers, the Company competes with other forms of out-of-home advertising described above.

6

Table of Contents

REGULATION

Outdoor advertising is subject to governmental regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Federal law, principally the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 (the HBA), regulates outdoor advertising on federally aided primary and interstate highways. The HBA requires, as a condition to federal highway assistance, states to restrict billboards on such highways to commercial and industrial areas, and requires certain additional size, spacing and other limitations. All states have passed state billboard control statutes and regulations at least as restrictive as the federal requirements, including removal at the owner’s expense and without compensation of any illegal signs on such highways. The Company believes that the number of its billboards that may be subject to removal as illegal is immaterial. No state in which the Company operates has banned billboards, but some have adopted standards more restrictive than the federal requirements. Municipal and county governments generally also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws. Some local governments prohibit construction of new billboards and some allow new construction only to replace existing structures, although most allow construction of billboards subject to restrictions on zones, size, spacing and height.

Federal law does not require removal of existing lawful billboards, but does require payment of compensation if a state or political subdivision compels the removal of a lawful billboard along a federally aided primary or interstate highway. State governments have purchased and removed legal billboards for beautification in the past, using federal funding for transportation enhancement programs, and may do so in the future. Governmental authorities from time to time use the power of eminent domain to remove billboards. Thus far, the Company has been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for any of its billboards purchased or removed as a result of governmental action, although there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future. Local governments do not generally purchase billboards for beautification, but some have attempted to force removal of legal but nonconforming billboards (billboards that conformed with applicable zoning regulations when built but which do not conform to current zoning regulations) after a period of years under a concept called amortization, by which the governmental body asserts that just compensation is earned by continued operation over time. Although there is some question as to the legality of amortization under federal and many state laws, amortization has been upheld in some instances. The Company generally has been successful in negotiating settlements with municipalities for billboards required to be removed. Restrictive regulations also limit the Company’s ability to rebuild or replace nonconforming billboards. The outdoor advertising industry is heavily regulated and at various times and in various markets can be expected to be subject to varying degrees of regulatory pressure affecting the operation of advertising displays. Accordingly, although the Company’s experience to date is that the regulatory environment can be managed, no assurance can be given that existing or future laws or regulations will not materially and adversely affect the Company.

EMPLOYEES

The Company employed approximately 3,000 persons at December 31, 2003. Of these, approximately 119 were engaged in overall management and general administration at the Company’s management headquarters and the remainder were employed in the Company’s operating offices. Of the total employees, approximately 817 were direct sales and marketing personnel.

The Company has 13 local offices covered by collective bargaining agreements, consisting of billposters and construction personnel. The Company believes that its relations with its employees, including its 129 unionized employees, are good, and the Company has never experienced a strike or work stoppage.

7

Table of Contents

ITEM 1A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Each officer’s term of office extends until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until a successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

Kevin P. Reilly, Jr. has served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer since February 1989 and as a director of the Company since February 1984. Mr. Reilly served as President of the Company’s Outdoor Division from 1984 to 1989. Mr. Reilly, an employee of the Company since 1978, has also served as Assistant and General Manager of the Company’s Baton Rouge Region and Vice President and General Manager of the Louisiana Region. Mr. Reilly received a B.A. from Harvard University in 1977.

Keith A. Istre has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since February 1989. Mr. Istre joined the Company as Controller in 1978 and became Treasurer in 1985. He also served as a director of the Company from February 1991 to May 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Istre was employed by a public accounting firm in Baton Rouge from 1975 to 1978. Mr. Istre graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1974 with a B.S. in Accounting.

Sean E. Reilly has been Chief Operating Officer and President of the Company’s Outdoor Division since November 2001. He began working with the Company as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions in 1987 and served in that capacity until 1994. He also served as a director of the Company from May 1989 to May 1996 and from May 1999 to May 2003. Mr. Reilly was the Chief Executive Officer of Wireless One, Inc., a wireless cable television company, from 1994 to 1997 after which he rejoined the Company as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions and President of the Company’s real estate division, TLC Properties, Inc. Mr. Reilly received a B.A. from Harvard University in 1984 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1989.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company’s 53,500 square foot management headquarters is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Company occupies approximately 90% of the space in this facility and leases the remaining space. The Company owns 164 local operating facilities with front office administration and sales office space connected to back-shop poster and bulletin production space. In addition, the Company leases an additional 110 operating facilities at an aggregate lease expense for 2003 of approximately $3.6 million.

The Company owns approximately 4,000 parcels of property beneath outdoor structures. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had approximately 76,100 active outdoor site leases accounting for a total annual lease expense of approximately $143.1 million. This amount represented 18% of total outdoor advertising net revenues for that period. The Company’s leases are for varying terms ranging from month-to-month to in some cases a term of over ten years, and many provide the Company with renewal options. There is no significant concentration of displays under any one lease or subject to negotiation with any one landlord. The Company believes that an important part of its management activity is to manage its lease portfolio and negotiate suitable lease renewals and extensions.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company from time to time is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, including disputes involving advertising contracts, site leases, employment claims and construction matters. The Company is also involved in routine administrative and judicial proceedings regarding billboard permits, fees and compensation for condemnations. The Company is not a party to any lawsuit or proceeding which, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

8

Table of Contents

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Since August 2, 1996, the Company’s Class A common stock has traded on the over-the-counter market and prices have been quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol LAMR. Prior to August 2, 1996, the day on which the Class A common stock was first publicly traded, there was no public market for the Class A common stock. As of February 20, 2004, the Class A common stock was held by 189 shareholders of record. The Company believes, however, that the actual number of beneficial holders of the Class A common stock may be substantially greater than the stated number of holders of record because a substantial portion of the Class A common stock is held in street name.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low bid prices for the Class A common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.

The Company’s Class B common stock is not publicly traded and is held of record by members of the Reilly family and the Reilly Family Limited Partnership.

The Company does not anticipate paying dividends on either class of its common stock in the foreseeable future. The Company’s Series AA preferred stock is entitled to preferential dividends, in an annual aggregate amount of $364,903, before any dividends may be paid on the common stock. In addition, the Company’s bank credit facility and other indebtedness have terms restricting the payment of dividends. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will be subject to such limitations, will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.

9

Table of Contents

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Lamar Advertising Company

The selected consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet data presented below are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included herein.

Statement of Operations Data:
(Dollars in Thousands)

10

Table of Contents

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including those described below under the heading “Factors Affecting Future Operating Results,” and elsewhere in this report, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document. These statements speak only as of the date of this document, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, except as may be required by law.

Lamar Advertising Company

The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes.

OVERVIEW

The Company’s net revenues, which represent gross revenues less commissions paid to advertising agencies that contract for the use of advertising displays on behalf of advertisers, are derived primarily from the sale of advertising on outdoor advertising displays owned and operated by the Company. The Company relies on sales of advertising space for its revenues, and its operating results are therefore affected by general economic conditions, as well as trends in the advertising industry. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, and in general advertising spending has decreased in response to the decline in economic conditions.

Since December 31, 2001, the Company has increased the number of outdoor advertising displays it operates by approximately 2% by completing approximately 160 strategic acquisitions of outdoor advertising and transit assets for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $323 million, which included the issuance of 2,955,559 shares of Lamar Advertising Company Class A common stock valued at the time of issuance at approximately $106.7 million. The Company has financed its recent acquisitions and intends to finance its future acquisition activity from available cash, borrowings under its bank credit agreement, as amended, and the issuance of Class A common stock. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below. As a result of acquisitions, the operating performance of individual markets and of the Company as a whole are not necessarily comparable on a year-to-year basis. The Company expects to continue to pursue acquisitions that complement the Company’s existing operations.

Growth of the Company’s business requires expenditures for maintenance and capitalized costs associated with new billboard displays, logo sign and transit contracts, and the purchase of real estate and operating equipment. Capitalized expenditures were $78.3 million in 2003, $78.4 million in 2002 and $85.3 million in 2001. The following table presents a breakdown of capitalized expenditures for the past three years:

11

Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table presents certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001:

Year ended December 31, 2003 compared to year ended December 31, 2002

Net revenues increased $34.4 million or 4.4% to $810.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $775.7 million for the same period in 2002. This increase was attributable primarily to (i) an increase in billboard net revenues of $29.8 million or 4.1%, (ii) a $3.2 million increase in logo sign revenue, which represents an increase of 8.4% over the prior year, and (iii) a $1.5 million increase in transit revenue, which represents a 17.0% increase over the prior year.

The increase in billboard net revenues of $29.8 million was due to both acquisition activity and internal growth while the increase in logo sign revenue of $3.2 million and transit revenue growth of $1.5 million was generated by internal growth across various markets within the logo sign and transit programs. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenue⁽¹⁾ for the year ended December 31, 2002, which includes adjustments for acquisitions for the same time frame as actually owned in 2003, increased $14.4 million or 1.8% as a result of net revenue internal growth.

Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $21.5 million or 4.9% to $463.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $442.0 million for the same period in 2002. There was a $23.6 million increase as a result of additional operating expenses related to the operations of acquired outdoor advertising assets and increases in costs in operating the Company’s core assets. This increase was offset by a $2.0 million decrease in corporate expenses due to the partial reversal in the second quarter of 2003 of a charge related to a jury verdict rendered against the Company in the third quarter of 2002, which is discussed below.

In the third quarter of 2002, the Company recorded a charge of $2.3 million related to a jury verdict rendered in August 2002 against the Company for compensatory and punitive damages. In May 2003, the Court ordered a reduction to the punitive damage award, which was subject to the plaintiff’s consent. The plaintiff rejected the reduced award and the Court ordered a new trial. Based on legal analysis, management believes the best estimate of the Company’s potential liability related to this claim is currently $1.3 million. The $1.0 million reduction in the reserve for this liability was recorded as a reduction of corporate expenses in the second quarter of 2003.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.4 million or 1.6% from $277.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $282.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, due to continued acquisition activity and capital expenditures.

Due to the above factors, operating income increased $8.9 million to $65.1 million for year ended December 31, 2003 compared to $56.2 million for the same period in 2002.

The Company’s management believes that acquisition-adjusted net revenue is useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and provides investors and financial analysts a better understanding of the Company’s core operating results. The acquisition adjustments are intended to provide information that may be useful for investors when assessing period to period results. Our presentations of this measure, however, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

12

Table of Contents

In January 2003, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp., redeemed all of its outstanding 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 in aggregate principal amount of approximately $255.0 million for a redemption price equal to 103.208% of the principal amount of the notes. In the first quarter of 2003, the Company recorded approximately $11.2 million as a loss on extinguishment of debt related to the prepayment of the 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 and the write-off of related debt issuance costs.

In June 2003, Lamar Media Corp., redeemed $100.0 million in principal amount of its 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007, for a redemption price equal to 104.313% of the principal amount of the notes. In the second quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.8 million, related to this prepayment.

In July 2003, the Company redeemed all of its outstanding 5 1/4% Convertible Notes due 2006 in aggregate principal amount of approximately $287.5 million for a redemption price equal to 103.0% of the principal amount of the notes. As a result of this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $12.6 million.

In December 2003, Lamar Media redeemed the remaining $100.0 million of its 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 for a redemption price equal to 102.875% of the principal amount of the notes. As a result of this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $4.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 related to the prepayment of the notes and associated debt issuance costs.

Interest expense decreased $19.5 million from $107.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $87.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 as a result of lower interest rates both on existing and recently refinanced debt.

The increase in operating income and the decrease in interest expense described above offset by the loss on extinguishment of debt resulted in a $0.2 million decrease in loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. There was an increase in the income tax benefit of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 over the same period in 2002 due primarily to an increase in total tax benefit resulting from changes to the expected utilization of the Company’s net operating loss carryforward. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2003 is 37.0%.

Due to the adoption of SFAS No. 143, the Company recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the amount of $11.7 million net of an income tax benefit of $7.5 million.

As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2003 of $46.9 million, as compared to a net loss of $36.3 million for the same period in 2002.

Year ended December 31, 2002 compared to year ended December 31, 2001

Net revenues increased $46.6 million or 6.4% to $775.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 from $729.1 million for the same period in 2001. This increase was attributable primarily to (i) an increase in billboard net revenues of $38.3 million which represents an increase of 5.5% over the prior year, (ii) a $2.6 million increase in logo sign revenue, which represents an increase of 7.3% over the prior year, and (iii) a $3.8 million increase in transit revenue, which represents an 81.7% increase over the prior year.

The increase in billboard net revenues of $38.3 million was due to acquisition activity and internal growth. The increase in logo sign revenue of $2.6 million was primarily due to price increases negotiated by the Company with the state of Virginia, which generated an increase in net revenue of $1.3 million as compared to the same period in 2001. The remaining increase of $1.3 million was generated by internal growth across various markets within the logo sign program. The increase in transit revenue of $3.8 million was generated by internal growth resulting from changes in management and sales processes within the transit program. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to acquisition–adjusted net revenue⁽²⁾ for the year ended December 31, 2001 which includes adjustments for acquisitions for the same time frame as actually owned in 2002 increased $16.2 million or 2.1% as a result of net revenue growth.

The Company’s management believes that acquisition-adjusted net revenue is useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and provides investors and financial analysts a better understanding of the Company’s core operating results. The acquisition adjustments are intended to provide information that may be useful for investors when assessing period to period results. Our presentations of this measure, however, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

13

Table of Contents

Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $39.5 million or 9.8% to $442.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 from $402.5 million for the same period in 2001. There was a $36.2 million increase as a result of additional operating expenses related to the operations of acquired outdoor advertising assets and increases in personnel, sign site rent, insurance costs and property taxes. The remaining $3.3 million increase in expenses is a result of increases in logo sign, transit and corporate overhead expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $77.6 million or 21.8% from $355.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $277.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 as a result of the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which eliminated the amortization expense for goodwill.

Due to the above factors, operating income increased $84.3 million to $56.2 million for year ended December 31, 2002 compared to an operating loss of $28.1 million for the same period in 2001.

On October 25, 2002, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp., redeemed all of its outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 in aggregate principal amount of approximately $74.1 million for a redemption price equal to 104.625% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the redemption date of approximately $1.3 million. In the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company recorded approximately $5.9 million as an expense related to the prepayment of the 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.

Interest expense decreased $19.6 million from $126.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $107.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 as a result of lower interest rates for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to the same period in 2001.

The increase in operating income and the decrease in interest expense described above resulted in a $98.3 million decrease in loss before income taxes. The decrease in loss before income taxes, resulted in a decrease in the income tax benefit of $26.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 over the same period in 2001. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2002 is 35.2%.

As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2002 of $36.3 million, as compared to a net loss of $108.6 million for the same period in 2001.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has historically satisfied its working capital requirements with cash from operations and borrowings under its bank credit facility. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp., is the borrower under the bank credit facility and maintains all corporate cash balances. Any cash requirements of Lamar Advertising, therefore, must be funded by distributions from Lamar Media. The Company’s acquisitions have been financed primarily with funds borrowed under the bank credit facility and issuance of its Class A common stock and debt securities. If an acquisition is made by one of the Company’s subsidiaries using the Company’s Class A common stock, a permanent contribution of additional paid-in-capital of Class A common stock is distributed to that subsidiary.

The Company’s cash flows provided by operating activities increased by $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 due primarily to an increase in adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities of $38.0 million, which primarily includes an increase in the loss on extinguishment of debt of $27.8 million, an increase in depreciation and amortization of $4.4 million and the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle of $11.7 million offset by an increase in deferred income tax benefit of $5.0 million. This increase was offset by an increase in net loss of $10.5 million. In addition, as compared to the same period in 2002, there were increases in the change in receivables of $3.1 million, in other assets of $4.7 million, in other liabilities of $1.3 million, in trade accounts payable of $1.3 million, and prepaid expenses of $0.4 million and increases in the change in accrued expenses of $2.9 million.

Cash flows used in investing activities increased $54.2 million from $155.8 million in 2002 to $210.0 million in 2003 primarily due to the increase in cash used in acquisition activity by the Company in 2003 of $58.5 million offset by a decrease in the change in notes receivable of $1.7 million and an increase in proceeds from sale of property and equipment of $2.4 million.

Cash flows used in financing activities decreased by $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 due to a $152.0 million increase in net proceeds from note offerings and new notes payable, which is due to the issuance of Lamar Advertising’s $287.5 million 2 7/8% Convertible Notes, Lamar Media’s issuance of $125.0 million 7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes and increase in cash from deposits for debt extinguishment of $533.3 million offset by a $627.3 million increase in principal payments of long-term debt due primarily to the redemption of Lamar Media’s 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes and the Company’s 5 1/4% Convertible Notes. In addition, there was a $5.2 million decrease in proceeds from issuance of the Company’s Class A common stock, an $8.7 million increase in debt issuance costs and a $20.0 million decrease in net borrowings from credit agreements.

14

Table of Contents

During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company financed its acquisition activity of approximately $188.2 million with borrowings under Lamar Media’s revolving credit facility and cash on hand totaling $137.6 million as well as the issuance of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock valued at the time of issuance at approximately $50.6 million.

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp., replaced its bank credit facility on March 7, 2003 and subsequently amended it in February 2004. The bank credit facility is comprised of a $225.0 million revolving bank credit facility and a $975.0 million term facility. The bank credit facility also includes a $500.0 million incremental facility, which permits Lamar Media to request that its lenders enter into commitments to make additional term loans to it, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $500.0 million. The lenders have no obligation to make additional term loans to Lamar Media under the incremental facility, but may enter into such commitments in their sole discretion. At December 31, 2003 Lamar Media had $179.4 million available under its revolving bank credit facility.

In the future, Lamar Media has principal reduction obligations and revolver commitment reductions under its bank credit agreement. In addition it has fixed commercial commitments. These commitments are detailed as follows:

In January 2003, Lamar Media redeemed all of its outstanding 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 in aggregate principal amount of approximately $255.0 million for a redemption price equal to 103.208% of the principal amount of the notes. As a result of this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $11.2 million which consisted of a prepayment penalty of $8.2 million and associated debt issuance costs of approximately $3.0 million.

In June 2003, Lamar Media Corp. called for the redemption of $100.0 million of its $200.0 million 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007. The redemption was funded by the issuance on June 12, 2003 of a $125.0 million add-on to its $260.0 million 7 1/4% Notes due 2013 issued in December 2002. The issue price of the $125.0 million 7 1/4% Notes was 103.661% of the principal amount of the notes, which yields an effective rate of 6 5/8%. The redemption price of the $100.0 million 8 5/8% senior subordinated notes was equal to 104.313% of the principal amount of the notes. As a result of this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.8 million which consisted of a prepayment penalty of $4.3 million and associated debt issuance costs of approximately $1.5 million.

In July 2003, the Company redeemed all of its $287.5 million 5 1/4% Convertible Notes due 2006. The redemption was funded by the issuance on June 16, 2003 of $287.5 million 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010. The redemption price of the notes was equal to 103.0% of the principal amount of the notes. As a result of this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $12.6 million, which consisted of a prepayment penalty of $8.6 million and associated debt issuance costs of approximately $4.0 million.

In December 2003, Lamar Media redeemed the remaining $100.0 million of its 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 for a redemption price equal to 102.875% of the principal amount of the notes. The redemption was funded by cash from operations and borrowings under the Company’s bank credit facility. As a result of this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $4.2 million which consisted of a prepayment penalty of $2.9 million and associated debt issuance costs of approximately $1.3 million.

Currently Lamar Media has outstanding approximately $385.0 million 7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 issued in December 2002 and June 2003. The indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict its ability to incur indebtedness other than:

15

Table of Contents

	•		up to $1.2 billion of indebtedness under its bank credit facility;
	•		currently outstanding indebtedness or debt incurred to refinance outstanding debt;
	•		inter-company debt between Lamar Media and its subsidiaries or between subsidiaries; and
	•		certain other debt incurred in the ordinary course of business (provided that all of the above ranks junior in right of payment to the notes that has a maturity or mandatory sinking fund payment prior to the maturity of the notes).

Lamar Media is required to comply with certain covenants and restrictions under its bank credit agreement. If the Company fails to comply with these tests, the payments set forth in the above table may be accelerated. At December 31, 2003 and currently Lamar Media is in compliance with all such tests.

Lamar Media cannot exceed the following financial ratios under its bank credit facility:

•		a total debt ratio, defined as total consolidated debt to EBITDA, as defined below, for the most recent four fiscal quarters, of 6.00 to 1 (through December 30, 2004) and 5.75 to 1 (after December 30, 2004); and
•		a senior debt ratio, defined as total consolidated senior debt to EBITDA, as defined below, for the most recent four fiscal quarters, of 4.00 to 1 (through December 30, 2004) and 3.75 to 1 (after December 30, 2004).

In addition, the bank credit facility requires that Lamar Media must maintain the following financial ratios:

•		an interest coverage ratio defined as EBITDA (defined below) for the most recent four fiscal quarters to total consolidated accrued interest expense for that period, of at least 2.25 to 1; and
•		a fixed charges coverage ratio, defined as the ratio of EBITDA (as defined below) for the most recent four fiscal quarters to (1) the total payments of principal and interest on debt for such period (2) capital expenditures made during such period and (3) income and franchise tax payments made during such period, of at least 1.05 to 1.

As defined under Lamar Media’s bank credit facility, EBITDA is for any period, operating income for Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP) for such period (calculated before taxes, interest expense, depreciation, amortization and any other non-cash income or charges accrued for such period and (except to the extent received or paid in cash by Lamar Media or any of its restricted subsidiaries) income or loss attributable to equity in affiliates for such period) excluding any extraordinary and unusual gains or losses during such period and excluding the proceeds of any casualty events whereby insurance or other proceeds are received and certain dispositions not in the ordinary course. Any dividend payment made by Lamar Media or any of its restricted subsidiaries to Lamar Advertising Company during any period to enable Lamar Advertising Company to pay certain qualified expenses on behalf of Lamar Media and its subsidiaries, shall be treated as operating expenses of Lamar Media for the purposes of calculating EBITDA for such period. EBITDA under the bank credit agreement is also adjusted to reflect certain acquisitions or dispositions as if such acquisitions or dispositions were made on the first day of such period.

The Company believes that its current level of cash on hand, availability under its bank credit agreement and future cash flows from operations are sufficient to meet its operating needs through the year 2004. All debt obligations are on the Company’s balance sheet.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to long-lived asset recovery, intangible assets, goodwill impairment, deferred taxes and allowance for doubtful accounts. We base our estimates on historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events and, where applicable, established valuation techniques. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results may differ from our estimates. We believe that the following significant accounting policies and assumptions may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity than others.

Long-Lived Asset Recovery Long-lived assets, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and intangibles comprise a significant portion of the Company’s total assets. Property, plant and equipment of $1,254 million and intangible assets of $967 million are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to

16

Table of Contents

future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by that asset before interest expense. These undiscounted cash flow projections are based on management assumptions surrounding future operating results and the anticipated future economic environment. If actual results differ from management’s assumptions, an impairment of these intangible assets may exist and a charge to income would be made in the period such impairment is determined. No such impairment charge has been recorded by the Company that management believes is due to the Company’s disciplined approach in determining the purchase price of acquisitions that drives the growth of the Company’s long-lived assets.

Intangible Assets The Company has significant intangible assets recorded on its balance sheet. Intangible assets primarily represent goodwill of $1,240 million, site locations of $778 million and customer relationships of $140.2 million associated with the Company’s acquisitions. The fair values of intangible assets recorded are determined using discounted cash flow models that require management to make assumptions related to the future operating results, including projecting net revenue growth discounted using current cost of capital rates, of each acquisition and the anticipated future economic environment. If actual results differ from management’s assumptions, an impairment of these intangibles may exist and a charge to income would be made in the period such impairment is determined. Historically no impairment charge has been required with respect to the Company’s intangible assets.

Goodwill Impairment The Company had goodwill of $1,240 million as of December 31, 2003 and must perform an impairment analysis of goodwill annually or if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired on a more frequent basis. This analysis requires management to make assumptions as to the implied fair value of goodwill as compared to its carrying value. In conducting the impairment analysis, the Company determines implied fair value of goodwill utilizing quoted market prices of its Class A common stock which are used to calculate the Company’s enterprise value as compared to the carrying value of the Company’s assets. Discounted cash flow models before interest expense are also used. These discounted cash flow models require management to make assumptions including projecting the Company’s net revenue growth discounted using current cost of capital rates related to the future operating results of the Company and the anticipated future economic environment. Based upon the Company’s review, no impairment charge was required upon the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” in January 2002 or at its annual test for impairment on December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2003.

Deferred Taxes As of December 31, 2003, the Company has made the determination that its deferred tax assets of $168.5 million, the primary component of which is the Company’s net operating loss carryforward, are fully realizable due to the existence of certain deferred tax liabilities of approximately $257.0 million that are anticipated to reverse during the carryforward period. The Company bases this determination by projecting taxable income over the relevant period. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets. Should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. For a more detailed description, see Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Asset Retirement Obligations The Company had an asset retirement obligation of $36.9 million as of December 31, 2003 as a result of its adoption of SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”, on January 1, 2003. The Company records the present value of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which they are incurred. The liability is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset’s carrying amount. Over time, accretion of the liability is recognized as an operating expense and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the expected useful life of the related asset. The Company’s asset retirement obligations relate primarily to the dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities of its outdoor advertising properties. In calculating the liability, the Company calculates the present value of the estimated cost to dismantle using an average cost to dismantle, adjusted for inflation and market risk.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts based on the payment patterns of its customers. Management analyzes historical results, the economic environment, changes in the credit worthiness of its customers, and other relevant factors in determining the adequacy of the Company’s allowance. Bad debt expense was $9 million, $9 million and $8 million or approximately 1% of net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. If the future economic environment declines, the inability of customers to pay may occur and the allowance for doubtful accounts may need to be increased, which will result in additional bad debt expense in future years.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2001, FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” was issued. Statement 143 requires the Company to record the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, and/or normal use of the assets. The Company also would record a corresponding asset that is depreciated over the life of the asset. Subsequent to the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the obligation would be adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation. The Company adopted Statement 143 as required, on January 1, 2003.

17

Table of Contents

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“Statement 146”), which addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities. It nullifies EITF Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” The principal difference between Statement 146 and Issue 94-3 relates to the recognition of a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity. Statement 146 requires that a liability be recognized for those costs only when the liability is incurred, that is, when it meets the definition of a liability in the FASB’s conceptual framework. In contrast, under Issue 94-3, a company recognized a liability for an exit cost when it committed to an exit plan. Statement 146 also establishes fair value as the objective for initial measurement of liabilities related to exit or disposal activities. The Statement is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. The Company adopted the provisions related to Statement No. 146 as of January 1, 2003.

In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness to Others, an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57 and 107 and a rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34.” This Interpretation elaborates on the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees issued. The Interpretation also clarifies that a guarantor is required to recognize, at inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of the Interpretation are applicable to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002 and did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51.” This interpretation addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities as defined in the Interpretation. The Interpretation applies immediately to variable interests in variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and to variable interests in variable interest entities obtained after January 31, 2003. The application of the Interpretation did not have an effect on the Company’s financial statements as the Company has no variable interest entities.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” which amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The Company adopted SFAS No. 149 effective June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” Statement 150 affects the issuer’s accounting for three types of freestanding financial instruments. One type is mandatory redeemable shares, which the issuing company is obligated to buy back in exchange for cash or other assets. A second type, which includes put options and forward purchase contracts, involves instruments that do or may require the issuer to buy back some of its shares in exchange for cash or other assets. The third type of instruments that are liabilities under this Statement is obligations that can be settled with shares, the monetary value of which is fixed, tied solely or predominately to a variable such as a market index, or varies inversely with the value of the issuers’ shares. Statement 150 does not apply to features embedded in a financial instrument that is not a derivative in its entirety. Most of the guidance in Statement 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company currently does not have any financial instruments that are within the scope of SFAS No. 150.

Lamar Media Corp.

The following is a discussion of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Lamar Media for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media and the related notes.

The following table presents certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of net revenues for Lamar Media Corp. for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001:

18

Table of Contents

Year ended December 31, 2003 compared to year ended December 31, 2002

Net revenues increased $34.4 million or 4.4% to $810.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $775.7 million for the same period in 2002. This increase was attributable primarily to (i) an increase in billboard net revenues of $29.8 million or 4.1%, (ii) a $3.2 million increase in logo sign revenue, which represents an increase of 8.4% over the prior year, and (iii) a $1.5 million increase in transit revenue, which represents a 17.0% increase over the prior year.

The increase in billboard net revenues of $29.8 million was due to both acquisition activity and internal growth while the increase in logo sign revenue of $3.2 million and transit revenue growth of $1.5 million was generated by internal growth across various markets within the logo sign and transit programs. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenue⁽³⁾ for the year ended December 31, 2002, which includes adjustments for acquisitions for the same time frame as actually owned in 2003, increased $14.4 million or 1.8% as a result of net revenue internal growth.

Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $21.5 million or 4.9% to $463.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $441.7 million for the same period in 2002. There was a $23.6 million increase as a result of additional operating expenses related to the operations of acquired outdoor advertising assets and increases in costs in operating Lamar Media’s core assets. This increase was offset by a $2.0 million decrease in corporate expenses due to the partial reversal in the second quarter of 2003 of a charge related to a jury verdict rendered against Lamar Media in the third quarter of 2002, which is discussed below.

In the third quarter of 2002, Lamar Media recorded a charge of $2.3 million related to a jury verdict rendered in August 2002 against Lamar Media for compensatory and punitive damages. In May 2003, the Court ordered a reduction to the punitive damage award, which was subject to the plaintiff’s consent. The plaintiff rejected the reduced award and the Court ordered a new trial. Based on legal analysis, management believes the best estimate of Lamar Media’s potential liability related to this claim is currently $1.3 million. The $1.0 million reduction in the reserve for this liability was recorded as a reduction of corporate expenses in the second quarter of 2003.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.4 million or 1.6% from $274.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $279.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Due to the above factors, operating income increased $8.9 million to $68.6 million for year ended December 31, 2003 compared to $59.7 million for the same period in 2002.

In January 2003, Lamar Media redeemed all of its outstanding 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 in aggregate principal amount of approximately $255.0 million for a redemption price equal to 103.208% of the principal amount of the notes. In the first quarter of 2003, Lamar Media recorded approximately $11.2 million as a loss on extinguishment of debt related to the prepayment of the 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 and the write-off of related debt issuance costs. In June 2003, Lamar Media redeemed $100.0 million in principal amount of its 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007, for a redemption price equal to 104.313% of the principal amount of the notes. In the second quarter of 2003, Lamar Media recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5.8 million, related to this prepayment.

The Company’s management believes that acquisition-adjusted net revenue is useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and provides investors and financial analysts a better understanding of the Company’s core operating results. The acquisition adjustments are intended to provide information that may be useful for investors when assessing period to period results. Our presentations of this measure, however, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

19

Table of Contents

In December 2003, Lamar Media redeemed the remaining $100.0 million of its 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 for a redemption price equal to 102.875% of the principal amount of the notes. As a result of this redemption, Lamar Media recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $4.2 million related to the prepayment of the notes and associated debt issuance costs.

Interest expense decreased $17.1 million from $92.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $75.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 as a result of lower interest rates both on existing and recently refinanced debt.

The increase in operating income and the decrease in interest expense described above offset by the loss on extinguishment of debt resulted in a $10.4 million decrease in loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Because of the decrease in loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, there was a decrease in the income tax benefit of $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 over the same period in 2002. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2003 is 34.9%.

Due to the adoption of SFAS No. 143, the Company recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax of $11.7 million.

As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2003 of $29.3 million, as compared to a net loss of $25.0 million for the same period in 2002.

Year ended December 31, 2002 compared to year ended December 31, 2001

Net revenues increased $46.6 million or 6.4% to $775.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 from $729.1 million for the same period in 2001. This increase was attributable primarily to (i) an increase in billboard net revenues of $38.3 million or 5.5%, (ii) a $2.6 million increase in logo sign revenue, which represents an increase of 7.3% over the prior year, and (iii) a $3.8 million increase in transit revenue, which represents an 81.7% increase over the prior year.

The increase in billboard net revenues of $38.3 million was due to acquisition activity and internal growth. The increase in logo sign revenue of $2.6 million was significantly due to price increases negotiated by the Company with the state of Virginia, which generated an increase in net revenue of $1.3 million as compared to the same period in 2001. The remaining increase of $1.3 million was generated by internal growth across various markets within the logo sign program. The increase in transit revenue of $3.8 million was generated by internal growth resulting from changes in management and sales processes within the transit program. Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to acquisition–adjusted net revenue ⁽⁴⁾ for the year ended December 31, 2001 which includes adjustments for acquisitions for the same time frame as actually owned in 2002 increased $16.2 million or 2.1% as a result of net revenue growth.

Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $39.4 million or 9.8% to $441.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 from $402.3 million for the same period in 2001. There was a $36.2 million increase as a result of additional operating expenses related to the operations of acquired outdoor advertising assets and increases in personnel, sign site rent, insurance costs and property taxes. The remaining $3.2 million increase in expenses is a result of increases in logo sign, transit and corporate overhead expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $77.2 million or 21.9% from $351.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $274.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 as a result of the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which eliminated the amortization expense for goodwill.

Due to the above factors, operating income increased $83.8 million to $59.7 million for year ended December 31, 2002 compared to an operating loss of $24.1 million for the same period in 2001.

The Company’s management believes that acquisition-adjusted net revenue is useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and provides investors and financial analysts a better understanding of the Company’s core operating results. The acquisition adjustments are intended to provide information that may be useful for investors when assessing period to period results. Our presentations of this measure, however, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

20

Table of Contents

On October 25, 2002, Lamar Media redeemed all of its outstanding 9¼% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 in aggregate principal amount of approximately $74.1 million for a redemption price equal to 104.625% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the redemption date of approximately $1.3 million. In the fourth quarter of 2002, Lamar Media recorded approximately $5.9 million as an expense related to the prepayment of the 9¼% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007.

Interest expense decreased $20.8 million from $113.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 to $92.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 as a result of lower interest rates for the year ended December 31, 2002 as compared to the same period in 2001.

The increase in operating income and the decrease in interest expense described above resulted in a $99.0 million decrease in loss before income taxes. The decrease in loss before income taxes, resulted in a decrease in the income tax benefit of $26.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 over the same period in 2001. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2002 is 33.3%.

As a result of the above factors, Lamar Media recognized a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2002 of $25.0 million, as compared to a net loss of $97.6 million for the same period in 2001.

FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

The Company’s substantial indebtedness could adversely affect its business and may create a need to borrow additional money in the future to make the significant fixed payments on its debt and operate its business.

The Company has borrowed substantial amounts of money in the past and may borrow more money in the future. At December 31, 2003, Lamar Advertising Company had approximately $287.5 million of convertible notes outstanding. At December 31, 2003, Lamar Media had approximately $1.4 billion of debt outstanding consisting of approximately $1,015.0 million in bank debt, $389.4 million in various series of senior subordinated notes and $13.0 million in various other short-term and long-term debt. In addition, the indentures governing Lamar Media’s notes and bank credit facility allows it to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. As of December 31, 2003, Lamar Media had approximately $179.4 million available to borrow under its bank credit facility. The Company’s substantial indebtedness and the fact that a large part of the Company’s cash flow from operations must be used to make principal and interest payments on its debt may have important consequences, including:

	•		limiting cash flow available to fund the Company’s working capital, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;
	•		increasing the Company’s vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
	•		limiting the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;
	•		limiting the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and industry;
	•		placing the Company at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors with less indebtedness; and
	•		making it more difficult for the Company to comply with financial covenants in its bank credit facility.

In addition, if the Company’s operations make less money in the future, it may need to borrow to make principal and interest payments on its debt. The Company also finances most of its acquisitions through borrowings under Lamar Media’s bank credit facility. Since its borrowing capacity under its credit facility is limited, the Company may not be able to continue to finance future acquisitions at its historical rate with borrowings under its credit facility. The Company may need to borrow additional amounts or seek other sources of financing to fund future acquisitions. Such additional financing may not be available on favorable terms. The Company may need the consent of the banks under its credit facility, or the holders of other indebtedness, to borrow additional money.

Restrictions in the Company’s, and its wholly owned, direct subsidiary, Lamar Media’s debt agreements reduce operating flexibility and contain covenants and restrictions that create the potential for defaults.

The terms of the indenture relating to Lamar Advertising’s outstanding notes, Lamar Media’s bank credit facility and the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict, among other things, the ability of Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media to:

	•		incur or repay debt;
	•		dispose of assets;
	•		create liens;
	•		make investments;
	•		enter into affiliate transactions; and
	•		pay dividends.

21

Table of Contents

Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is also restricted under the terms of these agreements. Under Lamar Media’s bank credit facility the Company must maintain specified financial ratios and levels including:

	•		a minimum interest coverage ratio;
	•		a minimum fixed charges ratio;
	•		a maximum senior debt ratio; and
	•		a maximum total debt ratio.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” beginning on page 14.

If Lamar Media fails to comply with these tests, the lenders have the right to cause all amounts outstanding under the bank credit facility to become immediately due. If this were to occur, and the lenders decide to exercise their right to accelerate the indebtedness, it would create serious financial problems for the Company and could lead to an event of default under the indentures governing its debt. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company’s ability to comply with these restrictions, and any similar restrictions in future agreements, depends on its operating performance. Because its performance is subject to prevailing economic, financial and business conditions and other factors that are beyond the Company’s control, it may be unable to comply with these restrictions in the future.

The Company’s business is derived from advertising and advertising is particularly sensitive to changes in economic conditions and advertising trends.

The Company sells advertising space to generate revenues. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to changes in general economic conditions and advertising spending typically decreases when economic conditions are tough. A decrease in demand for advertising space could adversely affect the Company’s business. A reduction in money spent on advertising displays could result from:

	•		a general decline in economic conditions;
	•		a decline in economic conditions in particular markets where the Company conducts business;
	•		a reallocation of advertising expenditures to other available media by significant users of the Company’s displays; or
	•		a decline in the amount spent on advertising in general.

The Company’s continued growth by acquisitions may become more difficult and involves costs and uncertainties.

Historically, the Company has substantially increased its inventory of advertising displays through acquisitions. The Company’s growth strategy involves acquiring outdoor advertising businesses and assets in markets where it currently competes as well as in new markets. However, the following factors may affect the Company’s ability to continue to pursue this strategy effectively:

	•		there might not be suitable acquisition candidates, particularly as a result of the consolidation of the outdoor advertising industry, and the Company may have a more difficult time negotiating acquisitions that are favorable to it;
	•		the Company may face increased competition from other outdoor advertising companies, which may have greater financial resources than the Company, for the businesses and assets it wishes to acquire, which may result in higher prices for those businesses and assets;
	•		the Company may not have access to sufficient capital resources on acceptable terms, if at all, to finance its acquisitions and may not be able to obtain required consents from its lenders;
	•		the Company may be unable to effectively integrate acquired businesses and assets with its existing operations as a result of unforeseen difficulties that could require significant time and attention from its management that would otherwise be directed at developing its existing business; and
	•		the Company may not realize the benefits and cost savings that it anticipates from its acquisitions.

The Company faces competition from larger and more diversified outdoor advertisers and other forms of advertising that could hurt its performance.

The Company may not be able to compete successfully against the current and future forms of outdoor advertising and other media. The competitive pressure that it faces could adversely affect its profitability or financial performance. Although Lamar Advertising is the largest company focusing exclusively on outdoor advertising, it faces competition from larger companies with more diversified operations that also include television, radio and other broadcast media. In addition, the Company’s diversified competitors have the opportunity to cross-sell their different advertising products to their customers. The Company also faces competition from other forms of media, including newspapers, direct mail advertising and the Internet. It must also compete with an increasing variety of other out-of-home advertising media that include advertising displays in shopping centers, malls,

22

Table of Contents

airports, stadiums, movie theaters and supermarkets, and on taxis, trains and buses.

The Company’s operations are impacted by the regulation of outdoor advertising by federal, state and local governments.

The Company’s operations are significantly impacted by federal, state and local government regulation of the outdoor advertising business.

The federal government conditions federal highway assistance on states imposing location restrictions on the placement of billboards on primary and interstate highways. Federal laws also impose size, spacing and other limitations on billboards. Some states have adopted standards more restrictive than the federal requirements. Local governments generally control billboards as part of their zoning regulations. Some local governments have enacted ordinances which require removal of billboards by a future date. In addition, four states have enacted bans on billboard advertising. Others prohibit the construction of new billboards and the reconstruction of significantly damaged billboards, or allow new construction only to replace existing structures.

Local laws which mandate removal of billboards at a future date often do not provide for payment to the owner for the loss of structures that are required to be removed. Some federal and state laws require payment of compensation in such circumstances. Local laws that require the removal of a billboard without compensation have been challenged in state and federal courts with conflicting results. Accordingly, the Company may not be successful in negotiating acceptable arrangements when the Company’s displays have been subject to removal under these types of local laws.

Additional regulations may be imposed on outdoor advertising in the future. Legislation regulating the content of billboard advertisements has been introduced in Congress from time to time in the past. Additional regulations or changes in the current laws regulating and affecting outdoor advertising at the federal, state or local level may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s logo sign contracts are subject to state award and renewal.

A portion of the Company’s revenues and operating income come from its state-awarded service contracts for logo signs. For the year ended December 31, 2003, approximately 5% of the Company’s net revenues were derived from its logo sign contracts. The Company cannot predict what remaining states, if any, will start logo sign programs or convert state-run logo sign programs to privately operated programs. The Company currently competes with three other logo sign providers as well as local companies for state-awarded service contracts for logo signs.

Generally, state-awarded logo sign contracts have a term of five to ten years, with additional renewal periods. Some states have the right to terminate a contract early, but in most cases must pay compensation to the logo sign provider for early termination. At the end of the term of the contract, ownership of the structures is transferred to the state. Depending on the contract in question, the logo provider may or may not be entitled to compensation at the end of the contract term. Of the Company’s 20 logo sign contracts in place at December 31, 2003, one is subject to renewal in April 2004 and three are scheduled to terminate in 2004, one in April, one in June and one in December 2004. The Company may not be able to obtain new logo sign contracts or renew its existing contracts. In addition, after a new state-awarded logo contract is received, the Company generally incurs significant start-up costs. If the Company does not continue to have access to the capital necessary to finance those costs, it will not be able to accept new contracts.

The Company is controlled by certain significant stockholders who are able to control the outcome of all matters submitted to its stockholders for approval and whose interest in the Company may be different than yours.

Certain members of the Reilly family, including Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., the Company’s president and chief executive officer, as of December 31, 2003, own in the aggregate approximately 16% of Lamar Advertising’s common stock, assuming the conversion of all Class B common stock to Class A common stock. This represents 65% of Lamar Advertising’s outstanding voting stock. By virtue of such stock ownership, such persons have the power to:

	•		elect the Company’s entire board of directors;
	•		control the Company’s management and policies; and
	•		determine the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matters required to be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval, including the amendment of its certificate of incorporation, mergers, consolidation and the sale of all or substantially all of its assets.

If the Company’s contingency plans relating to hurricanes fail, the resulting losses could hurt the Company’s business.

Although the Company has developed contingency plans designed to deal with the threat posed to advertising structures by

23

Table of Contents

hurricanes, it is possible that these plans will not work. If these plans fail, significant losses could result.

The Company has determined that it is not economical to obtain insurance against losses from hurricanes and other natural disasters. Instead, the Company has developed contingency plans to deal with the threat of hurricanes. For example, the Company attempts to remove the advertising faces on billboards at the onset of a storm, when possible, which better permits the structures to withstand high winds during a storm. The Company then replaces these advertising faces after the storm has passed. However, these plans may not be effective in the future and, if they are not, significant losses may result.

INFLATION

In the last three years, inflation has not had a significant impact on the Company.

SEASONALITY

The Company’s revenues and operating results have exhibited some degree of seasonality in past periods. Typically, the Company experiences its strongest financial performance in the summer and fall and its lowest in the first quarter of the calendar year. The Company expects this trend to continue in the future. Because a significant portion of the Company’s expenses is fixed, a reduction in revenues in any quarter is likely to result in a period to period decline in operating performance and net earnings.

24

Table of Contents

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Lamar Advertising Company and Lamar Media Corp.

Lamar Advertising Company is exposed to interest rate risk in connection with variable rate debt instruments issued by its wholly owned subsidiary Lamar Media Corp. The information below summarizes the Company’s interest rate risk associated with its principal variable rate debt instruments outstanding at December 31, 2003, and should be read in conjunction with Note 8 of the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loans under Lamar Media Corp.’s bank credit agreement bear interest at variable rates equal to the JPMorgan Chase Prime Rate or LIBOR plus the applicable margin. Because the JPMorgan Chase Prime Rate or LIBOR may increase or decrease at any time, the Company is exposed to market risk as a result of the impact that changes in these base rates may have on the interest rate applicable to borrowings under the bank credit agreement. Increases in the interest rates applicable to borrowings under the bank credit agreement would result in increased interest expense and a reduction in the Company’s net income.

At December 31, 2003, there was approximately $1,015.0 million of aggregate indebtedness outstanding under the bank credit agreement, or approximately 59.7% of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt on that date, bearing interest at variable rates. The aggregate interest expense for 2003 with respect to borrowings under the bank credit agreement was $36.1 million, and the weighted average interest rate applicable to borrowings under this credit facility during 2003 was 3.4%. Assuming that the weighted average interest rate was 200-basis points higher (that is 5.4% rather than 3.4%), then the Company’s 2003 interest expense would have been approximately $20.1 million higher resulting in a $12.2 million increase in the Company’s 2003 net loss.

The Company has mitigated the interest rate risk resulting from its variable interest rate long-term debt instruments by issuing fixed rate long-term debt instruments and maintaining a balance over time between the amount of the Company’s variable rate and fixed rate indebtedness. In addition, the Company has the capability under the bank credit agreement to fix the interest rates applicable to its borrowings at an amount equal to LIBOR plus the applicable margin for periods of up to twelve months, which would allow the Company to mitigate the impact of short-term fluctuations in market interest rates. In the event of an increase in interest rates, the Company may take further actions to mitigate its exposure. The Company cannot guarantee, however, that the actions that it may take to mitigate this risk will be feasible or that, if these actions are taken, that they will be effective.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (following on next page)

25

Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

26

Table of Contents

Independent Auditors’ Report

Board of Directors
Lamar Advertising Company:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Advertising Company and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Lamar Advertising Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 1(d) to the consolidated financial statements, effective July 1, 2001, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and certain provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, as required for goodwill and intangible assets resulting from business combinations consummated after June 30, 2001. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 were fully adopted on January 1, 2002. As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” on January 1, 2003.

/s/ KPMG LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana
February 9, 2004

27

Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES