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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
     
o   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
Lamar Media Corp.
(Exact names of registrants as specified in their charters)
     
Delaware   72-1449411
Delaware   72-1205791
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
 
5551 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA   70808
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (225) 926-1000
SECURITIES OF LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value
SECURITIES OF LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
SECURITIES OF LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
None
SECURITIES OF LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
     Indicate by check mark if Lamar Advertising Company is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark if Lamar Advertising Company is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No þ
     Indicate by check mark if Lamar Media Corp. is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 Yes o No þ
     Indicate by check mark if Lamar Media Corp. is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes þ No o
     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 þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
     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. þ
     Indicate by check mark whether Lamar Advertising Company is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þAccelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
     Indicate by check mark whether Lamar Media Corp. is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer oAccelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
     Indicate by check mark if either registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
     As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Lamar Advertising Company was $876,847,087 based on $15.27 per share as reported on the NASDAQ National Market System.
     As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Lamar Media Corp. was $0.
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers’ classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
         
Class   Outstanding at February 19, 2010  
Lamar Advertising Company Class A common stock, $0.001 par value per share
  76,797,295  shares
Lamar Advertising Company Class B common stock, $0.001 par value per share
  15,172,865  shares
Lamar Media Corp. common stock, $0.001 par value per share
  100  shares
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
     
Document   Parts into Which Incorporated
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on May 20, 2010 (Proxy Statement)
  Part III
     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
             
           
ITEM 1.       4  
ITEM 1A.       9  
ITEM 1B.       13  
ITEM 2.       13  
ITEM 3.       13  
ITEM 4.       13  
           
ITEM 5.       14  
ITEM 6.       15  
ITEM 7.       15  
ITEM 7A.       29  
ITEM 8.       29  
ITEM 9.       73  
ITEM 9A.       73  
ITEM 9B.       74  
           
ITEM 10.       74  
ITEM 11.       74  
ITEM 12.       74  
ITEM 13.       74  
ITEM 14.       74  
           
ITEM 15.       75  
SIGNATURES     76-77  
INDEX TO EXHIBITS     78-85  
 EX-4.B.10
 EX-4.D.6
 EX-4.E.4
 EX-4.F.4
 EX-10.G.8
 EX-11.A
 EX-12.A
 EX-12.B
 EX-21.A
 EX-23.A
 EX-31.A
 EX-31.B
 EX-32.A

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NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     Certain information included in this report is forward-looking in nature within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This report uses terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements in this report include statements about:
    Lamar Advertising Company’s future financial performance and condition;
 
    the Company’s business plans, objectives, prospects, growth and operating strategies;
 
    market opportunities and competitive positions;
 
    estimated risks; and
 
    stock price.
     Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including but not limited to the following, any of which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements:
    the severity and length of the current economic recession and its affect on the markets in which the Company operates;
 
    the levels of expenditures on advertising in general and outdoor advertising in particular;
 
    risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s significant indebtedness;
 
    the Company’s need for, and ability to obtain, additional funding for acquisitions and operations;
 
    increased competition within the outdoor advertising industry;
 
    the regulation of the outdoor advertising industry;
 
    the Company’s ability to renew expiring contracts at favorable rates;
 
    the integration of businesses that the Company acquires and its ability to recognize cost savings and operating efficiencies as a result of these acquisitions;
 
    the Company’s ability to successfully implement its digital deployment strategy; and
 
    changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines.
     The forward-looking statements in this report are based on the Company’s current good faith beliefs, however, actual results may differ due to inaccurate assumptions, the factors listed above or other foreseeable or unforeseeable factors. Consequently, the Company cannot guarantee that any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date of this report, and Lamar Advertising Company and Lamar Media Corp. expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this report, except as required by law.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
     The industry and market data presented throughout this report are based on the experience and estimates of the Company’s management and the data in reports issued by third-parties, including the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). In each case, the Company believes this industry and market data is reasonable. The Company has not, however, independently verified the industry and market data derived from third-party sources, and no independent source has verified the industry and market data derived from management’s experience and estimates.

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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
     Lamar Advertising Company, referred to in this Annual Report as the “Company” or “Lamar Advertising” or “we” 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. We operate in a single operating and reporting segment, advertising. We sell advertising on billboards, buses, shelters, benches and logo plates. As of December 31, 2009, we owned and operated approximately 150,000 billboard advertising displays in 44 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, over 100,000 logo advertising displays in 21 states and the province of Ontario, Canada, and operated over 27,000 transit advertising displays in 16 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. We offer our customers a fully integrated service, satisfying all aspects of their billboard display requirements from ad copy production to placement and maintenance.
The Company’s Business
     We operate three types of outdoor advertising displays: billboards, logo signs and transit advertising displays.
     Billboards. We sell most of our advertising space on two types of billboards: bulletins and posters.
    Bulletins are generally large, illuminated advertising structures that are located on major highways and target vehicular traffic.
 
    Posters are generally smaller advertising structures that are located on major traffic arteries and city streets and target vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
     In addition to these traditional billboards, we also sell digital billboards, which are generally located on major traffic arteries and city streets. As of December 31, 2009, we owned and operated approximately 1,150 digital billboard advertising displays in 38 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
     Logo signs. We sell advertising space on logo signs located near highway exits.
    Logo signs generally advertise nearby gas, food, camping, lodging and other attractions.
     We are the largest provider of logo signs in the United States, operating 21 of the 27 privatized state logo sign contracts. As of December 31, 2009, we operated over 100,000 logo sign advertising displays in 21 states and Canada.
     Transit advertising displays. We also sell advertising space on the exterior and interior of public transportation vehicles, transit shelters and benches in 63 markets. As of December 31, 2009, we operated over 27,000 transit advertising displays in 16 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Corporate History
     We have operated under the Lamar name since our founding in 1902 and have been publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “LAMR” since 1996. We completed a reorganization on July 20, 1999 that created our current holding company structure. At that time, the operating company (then called Lamar Advertising Company) was renamed Lamar Media Corp., and all of the operating company’s stockholders became stockholders of 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.
     In this Annual Report, we refer to Lamar Advertising Company as the “Company” or “we” and Lamar Advertising’s wholly owned subsidiary Lamar Media Corp. as “Lamar Media.”
Where you can find more information
     We make our 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 our 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 Annual Report.

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Operating Strategies
     We strive to be a leading provider of outdoor advertising services in each of the markets that we serve, and our operating strategies for achieving that goal include:
     Continuing to provide high quality local sales and service. We seek to identify and closely monitor the needs of our customers and to provide them with a full complement of high quality advertising services. Local advertising constituted approximately 79% of our net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009, which management believes is higher than the industry average. We believe that the experience of our regional and local managers has contributed greatly to our success. For example, our regional managers have been with us for an average of 28 years. In an effort to provide high quality sales and service at the local level, we employed over 750 local account executives as of December 31, 2009. Local account executives are typically supported by additional local staff and have the ability to draw upon the resources of our central office, as well as, our offices in other markets, in the event business opportunities or customers’ needs support such an allocation of resources.
     Continuing a centralized control and decentralized management structure. Our management believes that, for our particular business, centralized control and a decentralized organization provide for greater economies of scale and are more responsive to local market demands. Therefore, we maintain centralized accounting and financial control over our local operations, but our local managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations in each local market and are compensated according to that market’s financial performance.
     Continuing to focus on internal growth. Within our existing markets, we seek to increase our revenue and improve cash flow by employing highly-targeted local marketing efforts to improve our display occupancy rates and by increasing advertising rates where and when demand can absorb rate increases. Our local offices spearhead this effort and respond to local customer demands quickly.
     In addition, we routinely invest in upgrading our existing displays and constructing new displays. From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009, we invested approximately $1.2 billion in improvements to our existing displays and in constructing new displays. Our regular improvement and expansion of our advertising display inventory allow us to provide high quality service to our current advertisers and to attract new advertisers.
     Continuing to pursue other outdoor advertising opportunities. We plan 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, we plan to pursue additional tourist oriented directional sign programs in both the Untied States and Canada and also other motorist information signing programs as opportunities present themselves. In addition, in an effort to maintain market share, we continue to pursue attractive transit advertising opportunities as they become available.
     Reducing operating expenditures in light of the economic downturn. During 2009, we significantly reduced operating and capital expenditures to position the Company to manage through the current recession and to ensure that the Company is well positioned for a recovery in the general economy. Although we have historically invested in capital expenditures and strategic acquisitions, we are planning to continue to limit our spending on operating and capital expenditures, including acquisition activity during 2010.
COMPANY OPERATIONS
Billboard Advertising
     We sell most of our advertising space on two types of billboard advertising displays: bulletins and posters. As of December 31, 2009, we owned and operated approximately 150,000 billboard advertising displays in 44 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. In 2009, we derived approximately 72% of our billboard advertising net revenues from bulletin sales and 28% from poster sales.
     Bulletins are large, advertising structures (the most common size is fourteen feet high by forty-eight feet wide, or 672 square feet) consisting of panels on which advertising copy is displayed. We wrap advertising copy printed with computer-generated graphics on a single sheet of vinyl around the structure. 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 and target vehicular traffic. At December 31, 2009, we operated approximately 68,000 bulletins.

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     We generally sell individually-selected bulletin space to advertisers for the duration of the contract (usually one to twelve months). We also sell bulletins as part of a rotary plan under which we rotate the advertising copy from one bulletin location to another within a particular market at stated intervals (usually every sixty to ninety days) to achieve greater reach within that market.
     Posters are smaller advertising structures (the most common size is eleven feet high by twenty-three feet wide, or 250 square feet; we also operate junior posters, which are five feet high by eleven feet wide, or 55 square feet). Poster panels utilize a single flexible sheet of polyethylene material that inserts into the face of the panel. Posters are concentrated on major traffic arteries and target vehicular traffic, and junior posters are concentrated on city streets and target hard-to-reach pedestrian traffic and nearby residents. At December 31, 2009, we operated approximately 80,800 posters.
     We generally sell poster space for thirty- and sixty-day periods in packages called “showings,” which comprise a given number of displays in a specified market area. We place and spread out the displays making up a showing in well-traveled areas to reach a wide audience in the particular market.
     In addition to the traditional displays described above, we also sell digital billboards. Digital billboards are large electronic light emitting diode (LED) displays (the most common sizes are fourteen feet high by forty feet wide, or 560 square feet; ten and a half feet high by thirty six feet wide, or 378 square feet; and ten feet high by twenty-one feet wide, or 210 square feet) that are generally located on major traffic arteries and city streets. Digital billboards are capable of generating over one billion colors and vary in brightness based on ambient conditions. They display completely digital advertising copy from various advertisers in a slide show fashion, rotating each advertisement approximately every 6 to 8 seconds. At December 31, 2009, we operated approximately 1,150 digital billboards in various markets, which represents approximately 10.3% of billboard revenue.
     We own the physical structures on which the advertising copy is displayed. We build the structures on locations we either own or lease. In each local office one employee typically performs site leasing activities for the markets served by that office. See Item 2. — “Properties.”
     In the majority of our markets, our 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 the displays. We provide our production services to local advertisers and to advertisers that are not represented by advertising agencies, as most national advertisers represented by advertising agencies use preprinted designs that require only our installation. Our talented design staff uses state-of-the-art technology to prepare creative, eye-catching displays for our customers. We can also help with the strategic placement of advertisements throughout an advertiser’s market by using software that allows us to analyze the target audience and its demographics. Our artists also assist in developing marketing presentations, demonstrations and strategies to attract new customers.
     In marketing billboard displays to advertisers, we compete with other forms of out-of-home advertising and other media. When selecting the media and provider through which to advertise, advertisers consider a number of factors and advertising providers which are described in the section entitled — “Competition” below.
Logo Sign Advertising
     We entered the logo sign advertising business in 1988 and have become the largest provider of logo sign services in the United States, operating 21 of the 27 privatized state logo contracts. We erect logo signs, which generally advertise nearby gas, food, camping, lodging and other attractions, and directional signs, which direct vehicle traffic to nearby services and tourist attractions, near highway exits. As of December 31, 2009, we operated over 33,000 logo sign structures containing over 100,000 logo advertising displays in the United States and Canada.
     We operate the logo sign contracts in the province of Ontario, Canada and in the following states:
Colorado

Delaware

Georgia
  Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana
  Maine

Michigan

Minnesota
  Mississippi

Missouri(1)

Nebraska
  Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico
  Ohio

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania
  South Carolina

Utah

Virginia
 
(1)   The logo sign contract in Missouri is operated by a 66 2/3% owned partnership.

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     We also operate the tourist oriented directional signing (“TODS”) programs for the states of Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Louisiana and New Jersey, and the province of Ontario, Canada.
     Our logo and TODS operations are decentralized. Generally, each office is staffed with an experienced local general manager, local sales and office staff and a local signing sub-contractor. This decentralization allows the management staff of Interstate Logos, L.L.C. (the subsidiary that operates all of the logo and directional sign-related businesses) to travel extensively to the various operations and serve in a technical and management advisory capacity and monitor regulatory and contract compliance. We also run a silk screening operation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a display construction company in Atlanta, Georgia.
     State logo sign contracts represent the exclusive right to erect and operate logo signs within a state for a period of time. The terms of the contracts vary, but generally range from five to ten years, with additional renewal terms. Each logo sign contract generally allows the state to terminate the contract prior to its expiration and, in most cases, with compensation for the termination to be paid to the company. When a logo sign contract expires, we transfer ownership of the advertising structures to the state. Depending on the contract, we may or may not be entitled to compensation at that time. Of our twenty-two logo sign contracts in place, in the United States and Canada, at December 31, 2009, three are subject to renewal in 2010.
     States usually award new logo sign contracts and renew expiring logo sign contracts through an open proposal process. In bidding for new and renewal contracts, we compete against three other national logo sign providers, as well as local companies based in the state soliciting proposals.
     In marketing logo signs to advertisers, we compete with other forms of out-of-home advertising and other media. When selecting the media and provider through which to advertise, advertisers consider a number of factors and advertising providers which are described in the section entitled — “Competition” below.
Transit Advertising
     We entered into the transit advertising business in 1993 as a way to complement our existing business and maintain market share in certain markets. We provide transit advertising displays on bus shelters, benches and buses in 63 transit markets, and our production staff provides a full range of creative and installation services to our transit advertising customers. As of December 31, 2009, we operated over 27,000 transit advertising displays in 16 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
     Municipalities usually award new transit advertising contracts and renew expiring transit advertising contracts through an open bidding process. In bidding for new and renewal contracts, we compete against national outdoor advertising providers and local, on-premise sign providers and sign construction companies. Transit advertising operators incur significant start-up costs to build and install the advertising structures (such as transit shelters) upon being awarded contracts.
     In marketing transit advertising displays to advertisers, we compete with other forms of out-of-home advertising and other media. When selecting the media and provider through which to advertise, advertisers consider a number of factors and advertising providers which are described in the section entitled — “Competition” below.
COMPETITION
     Although the outdoor advertising industry has encountered a wave of consolidation, the industry remains fragmented. The industry is comprised of several large outdoor advertising and media companies with operations in multiple markets, as well as smaller, local companies operating a limited number of structures in one or a few local markets.
     Although we primarily focus on small to mid-size markets where we can attain a strong market share, in each of our markets, we compete against other providers of outdoor advertising and other types of media, including:
    Larger outdoor advertising providers, such as (i) Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., which operates billboards, street furniture displays, transit displays and other out-of-home advertising displays in North America and worldwide and (ii) CBS Outdoor, a division of CBS Corporation, which operates traditional outdoor, street furniture and transit advertising properties in North America and worldwide. Clear Channel Outdoor and CBS Outdoor each have corporate relationships with large media conglomerates and may have greater total resources, product offerings and opportunities for cross-selling than we do.
 
    Other forms of media, such as broadcast and cable television, radio, print media, direct mail marketing, telephone directories and the Internet.
 
    An increasing variety of out-of-home advertising media, such as advertising displays in shopping centers, malls, airports, stadiums, movie theaters and supermarkets and advertising displays on taxis, trains and buses.

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     In selecting the form of media through which to advertise, advertisers evaluate their ability to target audiences having a specific demographic profile, lifestyle, brand or media consumption or purchasing behavior or audiences located in, or traveling through, a particular geography. Advertisers also compare the relative costs of available media, evaluating the number of impressions (potential viewings), exposure (the opportunity for advertising to be seen) and circulation (traffic volume in a market), as well as potential effectiveness, quality of related services (such as advertising copy design and layout) and customer service. In competing with other media, we believe that outdoor advertising is relatively more cost-efficient than other media, allowing advertisers to reach broader audiences and target specific geographic areas or demographics groups within markets.
     We believe that our strong emphasis on sales and customer service and our position as a major provider of advertising services in each of our primary markets enables us to compete effectively with the other outdoor advertising companies, as well as with other media, within those markets.
CUSTOMERS
     Our customer base is diverse. The table below sets forth the ten industries from which we derived most of our billboard advertising revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009, as well as the percentage of billboard advertising revenues attributable to the advertisers in those industries. The individual advertisers in these industries accounted for approximately 70% of our billboard advertising net revenues in the year ended December 31, 2009. No individual advertiser accounted for more than 1.0% of our billboard advertising net revenues in that period.
         
    Percentage of Net
    Billboard
Categories   Advertising Revenues
Restaurants
    12 %
Retailers
    10 %
Health Care
    8 %
Service
    7 %
Gaming
    7 %
Amusement — Entertainment/Sports
    6 %
Automotive
    6 %
Hotels and Motels
    5 %
Financial — Banks, Credit Unions
    5 %
Telecommunications
    4 %
 
       
 
    70 %
REGULATION
     Outdoor advertising is subject to governmental regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Regulations generally restrict the size, spacing, lighting and other aspects of advertising structures and pose a significant barrier to entry and expansion in many markets.
     Federal law, principally the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 (the “HBA”), regulates outdoor advertising on Federal — Aid Primary, Interstate and National Highway Systems roads. The HBA requires states to “effectively control” outdoor advertising along these roads, and mandates a state compliance program and state standards regarding size, spacing and lighting. The HBA requires any state or political subdivision that compels the removal of a lawful billboard along a Federal — Aid Primary or Interstate highway to pay just compensation to the billboard owner.
     All states have passed billboard control statutes and regulations at least as restrictive as the federal requirements, including laws requiring the removal of illegal signs at the owner’s expense (and without compensation from the state). Although we believe that the number of our billboards that may be subject to removal as illegal is immaterial, and no state in which we operate has banned billboards entirely, from time to time governments have required us to remove signs and billboards legally erected in accordance with federal, state and local permit requirements and laws. Municipal and county governments generally also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws and building codes. We contest laws and regulations that we believe unlawfully restrict our constitutional or other legal rights and may adversely impact the growth of our outdoor advertising business.
     Using federal funding for transportation enhancement programs, state governments have purchased and removed billboards for beautification, and may do so again in the future. Under the power of eminent domain, state or municipal governments have laid claim to property and forced the removal of billboards. Under a concept called amortization by which a governmental body asserts that a billboard operator has earned compensation by continued operation over time, local governments have attempted to force removal of

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legal but nonconforming billboards (i.e., billboards that conformed with applicable zoning regulations when built but which do not conform to current zoning regulations). Although the legality of amortization is questionable, it has been upheld in some instances. Often, municipal and county governments also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws, with some local governments prohibiting construction of new billboards or allowing new construction only to replace existing structures. Although we have generally been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for those of our billboards purchased or removed as a result of governmental action, there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future.
     We have also introduced and intend to expand the deployment of digital billboards that display static digital advertising copy from various advertisers that change every 6 to 8 seconds. We have encountered some existing regulations that restrict or prohibit these types of digital displays but it has not yet materially impacted our digital deployment. Since digital billboards have only recently been developed and introduced into the market on a large scale, however, existing regulations that currently do not apply to them by their terms could be revised to impose greater restrictions. These regulations may impose greater restrictions on digital billboards due to alleged concerns over aesthetics or driver safety.
     In addition, due to their recent development, relatively few large scale studies have been conducted regarding driver safety issues, if any, related to digital billboards. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration is currently conducting a study on whether the presence of digital billboards along roadways is associated with a reduction of driver safety for the public. This study is expected to be completed in April 2010. If the results of this study include adverse findings, it may result in regulations at the federal or state level that impose greater restrictions on digital billboards.
EMPLOYEES
     We employed approximately 3,000 people as of December 31, 2009. Approximately 160 employees were engaged in overall management and general administration at our management headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the remainder, including over 750 local account executives, were employed in our operating offices.
     Fourteen of our local offices employ billposters and construction personnel who are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relationship with our employees, including our 124 unionized employees, is good, and we have never experienced a strike or work stoppage.
INFLATION
     In the last three years, inflation has not had a significant impact on us.
SEASONALITY
     Our revenues and operating results are subject to seasonality. Typically, we experience our strongest financial performance in the summer and fall, and our weakest financial performance in the first quarter of the calendar year, partly because retailers cut back their advertising spending immediately following the holiday shopping season. We expect this trend to continue in the future. Because a significant portion of our 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.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The Company’s substantial debt may adversely affect its business, financial condition and financial results.
     The Company has borrowed substantially in the past and will continue to borrow in the future. At December 31, 2009, Lamar Advertising Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media, had approximately $2.67 billion of total debt outstanding, consisting of approximately $1.09 billion in bank debt, $319.0 million of senior notes and $1.26 billion in various series of senior subordinated notes and Lamar Advertising had outstanding $3.3 million of convertible notes due 2010. Despite the level of debt presently outstanding, the terms of the indentures governing Lamar Media’s notes and the terms of the senior credit facility allow Lamar Media to incur substantially more debt, including approximately $188.9 million available for borrowing as of December 31, 2009 under the revolving senior credit facility.
     The Company’s substantial debt and its use of cash flow from operations to make principal and interest payments on its debt may, among other things:
    make it more difficult for the Company to comply with the financial covenants in its senior credit facility, which could result in a default and an acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the facility;

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    limit the cash flow available to fund the Company’s working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;
 
    limit the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate requirements;
 
    place the Company at a competitive disadvantage relative to those of its competitors that have less debt;
 
    force the Company to seek and obtain alternate or additional sources of funding, which may be unavailable, or may be on less favorable terms, or may require the Company to obtain the consent of lenders under its senior credit facility or the holders of its other debt;
 
    limit the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and industry; and
 
    increase the Company’s vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions.
     Any of these problems could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and financial results.
Restrictions in the Company’s and Lamar Media’s debt agreements reduce operating flexibility and contain covenants and restrictions that create the potential for defaults, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and financial results.
     The terms of the indentures relating to the Company’s outstanding notes, Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict the ability of the Company and Lamar Media to, among other things:
    incur or repay debt;
 
    dispose of assets;
 
    create liens;
 
    make investments;
 
    enter into affiliate transactions; and
 
    pay dividends and make inter-company distributions.
     The terms of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility also restrict it from exceeding specified total debt and senior debt ratios and require it to maintain specified fixed charges coverage ratios. Please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a description of the specific financial ratio requirements under the senior credit facility.
     The Company’s ability to comply with the financial covenants in the senior credit facility and indentures (and to comply with similar covenants in future agreements) depends on its operating performance, which in turn depends significantly on prevailing economic, financial and business conditions and other factors that are beyond the Company’s control. Therefore, despite its best efforts and execution of its strategic plan, the Company may be unable to comply with these financial covenants in the future.
     Although the Company and Lamar Media are currently in compliance with all financial covenants, the Company’s operating results have been negatively impacted by the current economic downturn and there can be no assurance that the current economic recession will not further impact the Company’s results and, in turn, its ability to meet these requirements in the future. If Lamar Media fails to comply with its financial covenants, the lenders under the senior credit facility could accelerate all of the debt outstanding, which would create serious financial problems and could lead to a default under the indentures governing the Company’s and Lamar Media’s outstanding notes. Any of these events could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and financial results.
     In addition, these restrictions reduce the Company’s operating flexibility and could prevent the Company from exploiting investment, acquisition, marketing, or other time-sensitive business opportunities.

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The Company’s revenues are sensitive to general economic conditions and other external events beyond the Company’s control.
     The Company sells advertising space on outdoor structures to generate revenues. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to changes in economic conditions and has been adversely affected by the current recession, as evidenced by a 11.9% decline in the Company’s advertising revenues in year ended December 31, 2009.
Additionally, the occurrence of any of the following external events could further depress the Company’s revenues
    a widespread reallocation of advertising expenditures to other available media by significant users of the Company’s displays; and
 
    a decline in the amount spent on advertising in general or outdoor advertising in particular.
The Company could suffer losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets.
     The Company tested goodwill for impairment on December 31, 2009. Based on the Company’s review at December 31, 2009, no impairment charge was required. The Company continues to assess whether factors or indicators become apparent that would require an interim impairment test between our annual impairment test dates. For instance, if our market capitalization is below our equity book value for a period of time without recovery, we believe there is a strong presumption that would indicate a triggering event has occurred and it is more likely than not that the fair value of one or both of our reporting units are below their carrying amount. This would require us to test the reporting units for impairment of goodwill. If this presumption cannot be overcome a reporting unit could be impaired under ASC 350 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and a non-cash charge would be required. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net earnings.
The Company significantly reduced its acquisition activity in 2009 and plans to maintain this level of activity in 2010, which could adversely affect the Company’s future financial performance.
     The Company has historically grown its business, in part, through strategic acquisitions that increase its advertising display inventory in existing and new markets. The Company significantly reduced its acquisition activity during 2009 and plans to maintain this level of activity in 2010, which may have an adverse effect on its future financial performance and results of operations.
The Company faces competition from larger and more diversified outdoor advertisers and other forms of advertising that could hurt its performance.
     While the Company enjoys a significant market share in many of its small and medium-sized markets, the Company faces competition from other outdoor advertisers and other media in all of its markets. Although the Company is one of the largest companies focusing exclusively on outdoor advertising in a relatively fragmented industry, it competes against larger companies with diversified operations, such as television, radio and other broadcast media. These diversified competitors have the advantage of cross-selling complementary advertising products to advertisers.
     The Company also competes against an increasing variety of out-of-home advertising media, such as advertising displays in shopping centers, malls, airports, stadiums, movie theaters and supermarkets, and on taxis, trains and buses. To a lesser extent, the Company also faces competition from other forms of media, including radio, newspapers, direct mail advertising, telephone directories and the Internet. The industry competes for advertising revenue along the following dimensions: exposure (the number of “impressions” an advertisement makes), advertising rates (generally measured in cost-per-thousand impressions), ability to target specific demographic groups or geographies, effectiveness, quality of related services (such as advertising copy design and layout) and customer service. The Company may be unable to compete successfully along these dimensions in the future, and the competitive pressures that the Company faces could adversely affect its profitability or financial performance.
Federal, state and local regulation impact the Company’s operations, financial condition and financial results.
     Outdoor advertising is subject to governmental regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Regulations generally restrict the size, spacing, lighting and other aspects of advertising structures and pose a significant barrier to entry and expansion in many markets.

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     Federal law, principally the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 (the “HBA”), regulates outdoor advertising on Federal — Aid Primary, Interstate and National Highway Systems roads. The HBA requires states to “effectively control” outdoor advertising along these roads, and mandates a state compliance program and state standards regarding size, spacing and lighting. The HBA requires any state or political subdivision that compels the removal of a lawful billboard along a Federal — Aid Primary or Interstate highway to pay just compensation to the billboard owner.
     All states have passed billboard control statutes and regulations at least as restrictive as the federal requirements, including laws requiring the removal of illegal signs at the owner’s expense (and without compensation from the state). Although we believe that the number of our billboards that may be subject to removal as illegal is immaterial, and no state in which we operate has banned billboards entirely, from time to time governments have required us to remove signs and billboards legally erected in accordance with federal, state and local permit requirements and laws. Municipal and county governments generally also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws and building codes. We contest laws and regulations that we believe unlawfully restrict our constitutional or other legal rights and may adversely impact the growth of our outdoor advertising business.
     Using federal funding for transportation enhancement programs, state governments have purchased and removed billboards for beautification, and may do so again in the future. Under the power of eminent domain, state or municipal governments have laid claim to property and forced the removal of billboards. Under a concept called amortization by which a governmental body asserts that a billboard operator has earned compensation by continued operation over time, local governments have attempted to force removal of legal but nonconforming billboards (i.e., billboards that conformed with applicable zoning regulations when built but which do not conform to current zoning regulations). Although the legality of amortization is questionable, it has been upheld in some instances. Often, municipal and county governments also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws, with some local governments prohibiting construction of new billboards or allowing new construction only to replace existing structures. Although we have generally been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for those of our billboards purchased or removed as a result of governmental action, there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future.
     We have also introduced and intend to expand the deployment of digital billboards that display static digital advertising copy from various advertisers that change every 6 to 8 seconds. We have encountered some existing regulations that restrict or prohibit these types of digital displays but it has not yet materially impacted our digital deployment. Since digital billboards have only recently been developed and introduced into the market on a large scale existing regulations that currently do not apply to them by their terms could be revised to impose greater restrictions. These regulations may impose greater restrictions on digital billboards due to alleged concerns over aesthetics or driver safety.
     In addition, due to their recent development, relatively few large scale studies have been conducted regarding driver safety issues, if any, related to digital billboards. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration is currently conducting a study on whether the presence of digital billboards along roadways is associated with a reduction of driver safety for the public. This study is expected to be completed in April 2010. If the results of this study include adverse findings, it may result in regulations at the federal or state level that impose greater restrictions on digital billboards. Any new restrictions could materially adversely affect both our existing inventory of digital billboards and our plans to expand our digital deployment.
The Company’s logo sign contracts are subject to state award and renewal.
     In 2009, the Company generated approximately 5% of its revenues from state-awarded logo sign contracts. In bidding for these contracts, the Company competes against three other national logo sign providers, as well as numerous smaller, local logo sign providers. A logo sign provider incurs significant start-up costs upon being awarded a new contract. These contracts generally have a term of five to ten years, with additional renewal periods. Some states reserve the right to terminate a contract early, and most contracts require the state to pay compensation to the logo sign provider for early termination. At the end of the contract term, the logo sign provider transfers ownership of the logo sign structures to the state. Depending on the contract, the logo provider may or may not be entitled to compensation for the structures at the end of the contract term.
     Of the Company’s 22 logo sign contracts in place at December 31, 2009, three are subject to renewal in 2010. The Company may be unable to renew its expiring contracts. The Company may also lose the bidding on new contracts.

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The Company is controlled by significant stockholders who have the power to determine the outcome of all matters submitted to the stockholders for approval and whose interest in the Company may be different than yours.
     As of December 31, 2009, members of the Reilly family, including Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Sean Reilly, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and President of its Outdoor Division, owned in the aggregate approximately 17% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, assuming the conversion of all Class B common stock to Class A common stock. As of that date, their combined holdings represented 67% of the voting power of Lamar Advertising’s outstanding capital stock, which would give the Reilly family 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 matter requiring stockholder approval, including charter amendments, mergers, consolidations and asset sales.
     The Reilly family may have interests that are different than yours in making these decisions.
If the Company’s contingency plans relating to hurricanes fail, the resulting losses could hurt the Company’s business.
     The Company has determined that it is uneconomical to insure against losses resulting from hurricanes and other natural disasters. Although the Company has developed contingency plans designed to mitigate the threat posed by hurricanes to advertising structures (e.g., removing advertising faces at the onset of a storm, when possible, which better permits the structures to withstand high winds during the storm), these plans could fail and significant losses could result.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
     None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
     Our 53,500 square foot management headquarters is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We occupy approximately 97% of the space in the headquarters and lease the remaining space. We own 123 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 132 operating facilities at an aggregate lease expense for 2009 of approximately $7.0 million.
     We own approximately 6,800 parcels of property beneath our advertising structures. As of December 31, 2009, we leased approximately 79,000 active outdoor sites, accounting for a total annual lease expense of approximately $206.9 million. This amount represented approximately 19.6% of total advertising net revenues for that period. These leases are for varying terms ranging from month-to-month to 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. An important part of our management activity is to manage our 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 Annual Report.

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PART II
ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF SECURITIES
     The Company’s Class A common stock has been publicly traded since August 2, 1996 and is currently listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “LAMR.” As of December 31, 2009, the Class A common stock was held by 187 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 sale prices for the Class A common stock:
                 
    High   Low
Year ended December 31, 2008
               
First Quarter
  $ 48.40     $ 32.60  
Second Quarter
    42.64       32.71  
Third Quarter
    40.99       12.59  
Fourth Quarter
    30.95       8.67  
Year ended December 31, 2009
               
First Quarter
  $ 16.76     $ 5.35  
Second Quarter
    22.98       9.81  
Third Quarter
    27.97       14.27  
Fourth Quarter
    32.23       23.89  
     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 of which, Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., our President and Chief Executive Officer, is the managing general partner.
     The Company’s Series AA preferred stock is entitled to preferential dividends, in an annual aggregate amount of $364,904, before any dividends may be paid on the common stock. All dividends related to the Company’s preferred stock are paid on a quarterly basis. In addition, the Company’s senior credit facility and other indebtedness have terms restricting the payment of dividends. The Company declared a special cash dividend of $3.25 per share of its common stock in February 2007 to stockholders of record on March 22, 2007, which was paid on March 30, 2007. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will be subject to the limitations described above, 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.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
     On February 22, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program of up to $500.0 million of the Company’s Class A common stock. This repurchase plan expired on February 22, 2009 with approximately $126.7 million of authorized repurchase capacity unused at expiration.
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ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Lamar Advertising Company
     The selected consolidated statement of operations, statement of cash flows and balance sheet data presented below are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). 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.
                                         
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Net revenues
  $ 1,056,065     $ 1,198,419     $ 1,209,555     $ 1,120,091     $ 1,021,656  
 
                             
Operating expenses:
                                       
Direct advertising expenses
    397,725       437,660       410,762       393,747       353,139  
General and administrative expenses
    229,423       257,621       270,390       248,937       212,727  
Depreciation and amortization
    336,725       331,654       306,879       301,685       290,089  
Gain on disposition of assets
    (5,424 )     (7,363 )     (3,914 )     (10,862 )     (1,119 )
 
                             
Total operating expenses
    958,449       1,019,572       984,117       933,507       854,836  
 
                             
Operating income
    97,616       178,847       225,438       186,584       166,820  
 
                             
Other expense (income):
                                       
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt
    (3,320 )                       3,982  
Gain on disposition of investment
    (1,445 )     (1,814 )     (15,448 )            
Interest income
    (527 )     (1,202 )     (2,598 )     (1,311 )     (1,511 )
Interest expense
    197,047       170,352       168,601       112,955       90,671  
 
                             
Total other expense
    191,755       167,336       150,555       111,644       93,142  
 
                             
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (94,139 )     11,511       74,883       74,940       73,678  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (36,101 )     9,349       33,901       32,994       31,899  
 
                             
Net (loss) income
    (58,038 )     2,162       40,982       41,946       41,779  
Preferred stock dividends
    365       365       365       365       365  
 
                             
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock
  $ (58,403 )   $ 1,797     $ 40,617     $ 41,581     $ 41,414  
 
                             
Net (loss) income per share
  $ (0.64 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.42     $ 0.40     $ 0.39  
 
                             
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $     $     $ 3.25              
 
                             
 
                                       
Statement of Cash Flow Data:
                                       
Cash flows provided by operating activities(1)
  $ 293,743     $ 346,520     $ 354,469     $ 364,517     $ 347,257  
Cash flows used in investing activities(1)
  $ 29,039     $ 437,419     $ 341,081     $ 438,896     $ 267,970  
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities(1)
  $ (168,349 )   $ 30,002     $ 39,277     $ 66,973     $ (104,069 )
 
                                       
Balance Sheet Data(1)(2)
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 112,253     $ 14,139     $ 76,048     $ 11,796     $ 19,419  
Working capital
    104,229       78,423       149,213       116,605       93,816  
Total assets
    3,943,541       4,117,025       4,081,763       3,924,228       3,741,234  
Total debt (including current maturities)
    2,674,912       2,814,449       2,692,667       1,990,468       1,576,326  
Total long-term obligations
    2,848,036       3,063,847       2,970,612       2,273,483       1,826,138  
Stockholders’ equity
    831,798       870,618       947,497       1,536,580       1,817,482  
 
(1)   As of the end of the period.
 
(2)   Certain balance sheet reclassifications were made in order to be comparable to the current year presentation.
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 in Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this Annual 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.

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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, 2009, 2008 and 2007. 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 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, which affect the rates that the Company is able to charge for advertising on its displays and its ability to maximize advertising sales or occupancy on its displays. The severe economic downturn that began in the fourth quarter of 2008 affected the Company as well as the advertising industry. The Company had fewer customers in 2009 which resulted in lower occupancy and a reduction in sales. While the Company anticipates this will continue into 2010, we took steps to reduce operating and capitalized expenditures in order to offset this reduction in revenue during 2009 and will continue this practice into 2010.
     Historically, the Company has increased the number of outdoor advertising displays it operates by completing strategic acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets. Since December 31, 2004, the Company completed acquisitions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $824.2 million, which included the issuance of 1,026,413 shares of Lamar Advertising Company Class A common stock valued at the time of issuance at approximately $43.3 million. The Company has financed its historical acquisitions and intends to finance any of its future acquisition activity from available cash, borrowings under its senior credit facility and the issuance of Class A common stock. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below. However, during 2009, the Company reduced its acquisition activity significantly by completing acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets for a purchase price of $4.5 million, which was a reduction of approximately $245 million over the same period in 2008. Due to the ongoing economic recession, the Company will continue to limit its acquisition activity during 2010.
     Growth of the Company’s business requires expenditures for maintenance and capitalized costs associated with the construction of new billboard displays, the entrance into and renewal of logo sign and transit contracts, and the purchase of real estate and operating equipment. The following table presents a breakdown of capitalized expenditures for the past three years:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
Billboard — Traditional
  $ 7,401     $ 58,064     $ 68,664  
Billboard — Digital
    15,178       103,701       92,093  
Logos
    5,275       7,606       10,190  
Transit
    5,488       1,018       2,047  
Land and buildings
    578       11,240       31,463  
PP&E
    4,895       16,441       16,077  
 
                 
Total capital expenditures
  $ 38,815     $ 198,070     $ 220,534  
 
                 
     We expect our capital expenditures to be approximately $40 million in 2010.
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, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2009     2008     2007
 
                       
Net revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses:
                       
Direct advertising expenses
    37.7       36.5       34.0  
General and administrative expenses
    17.7       17.3       17.4  
Corporate expenses
    4.0       4.2       4.9  
Depreciation and amortization
    31.9       27.7       25.4  
Operating income
    9.2       14.9       18.6  
Interest expense
    18.7       14.2       13.9  
Net (loss) income
    (5.5 )     0.2       3.4  

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Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to Year ended December 31, 2008
     Net revenues decreased $142.4 million or 11.9% to $1.06 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $1.20 billion for the same period in 2008. This decrease was attributable primarily to a decrease in billboard net revenues of $132.3 million, or 12.1%, over the prior period, a $10.6 million decrease in transit revenue, or 17.4%, over the prior period, offset by a $0.5 million increase in logo revenue, of 1.1%, over the prior period.
     The decrease in billboard net revenue of $132.3 million was a result of decreased rate and occupancy due to a reduction in advertising spending by our customers resulting from the current economic recession, which began in the fourth quarter of 2008. The $10.6 million decrease in transit revenue consists of a $0.8 million decrease due to lost transit contracts and a decrease of $9.8 million due to the current economic recession.
     Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009; as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008, decreased $155.3 million or 12.8% primarily as a result of the reduction in rate and occupancy due to the current economic recession that began in the fourth quarter of 2008 and continued throughout 2009. See “Reconciliations” below.
     Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, decreased $68.2 million, or 9.8%, to $627.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $695.3 million for the same period in 2008. There was a $3.5 million increase in non-cash compensation expense related to performance based compensation, offset by a $61.5 million decrease in operating expenses related to the cost of operating the Company’s core assets and a $10.2 million decrease in corporate expenses.
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase is primarily a result of accelerated depreciation on dismantled structures during 2009.
     Due to the above factors, operating income decreased $81.2 million to $97.6 million for year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $178.8 million for the same period in 2008.
     During 2009, the Company extinguished $284.1 million in principal amount of its 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 - Series B, at an average purchase price of 94.75% yielding a gain of approximately $15.0 million, which was offset by transaction costs and other non cash charges of $11.7 million related to the notes, resulting in a net gain of $3.3 million.
     Interest expense increased $26.6 million from $170.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $197.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 due to issuance of $350 million principal amount 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2014 and the increase in interest rates resulting from the amendments to our senior credit facility in April 2009.
     The decrease in operating income and the increase in interest expense described above resulted in a $105.7 million decrease in income before income taxes. This decrease in income resulted in a decrease in income tax expense of $45.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 over the same period in 2008. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 38.3%.
     As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $58.0 million, as compared to net income of $2.2 million for the same period in 2008.
Reconciliations:
     Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2007 (the “acquired assets”) have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2008 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2008 net revenue by adding to it the net revenue generated by the acquired assets prior to our acquisition of them for the same time frame that those assets were owned in 2009. We provide this information as a supplement to net revenues to enable investors to compare periods in 2009 and 2008 on a more consistent basis without the effects of acquisitions. Management uses this comparison to assess how well our core assets are performing.
     Acquisition-adjusted net revenue is not determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For this adjustment, we measure the amount of pre-acquisition revenue generated by the acquired assets during the period in 2008 that corresponds with the actual period we have owned the acquired assets in 2009 (to the extent within the period to which this report relates). We refer to this adjustment as “acquisition net revenue.”
     Reconciliations of 2008 reported net revenue to 2008 acquisition-adjusted net revenue as well as a comparison of 2008 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2009 net revenue are provided below:

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Comparison of 2009 Net Revenue to 2008 Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue
                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
Reported net revenue
  $ 1,056,065     $ 1,198,419  
Acquisition net revenue
          12,955  
 
           
Adjusted totals
  $ 1,056,065     $ 1,211,374  
 
           
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to Year ended December 31, 2007
     Net revenues decreased $11.1 million, or 0.9%, to $1.20 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1.21 billion for the same period in 2007. This decrease was attributable primarily to a decrease in billboard net revenues of $9.7 million, or 0.9%, over the prior period and a $1.7 million decrease in logo sign revenue over the prior period due to contracts lost in the fourth quarter of 2008.
     The decrease in billboard net revenue of $9.7 million was a result of decreased occupancy due to a reduction in advertising spending resulting from the deterioration in economic conditions which accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2008. The $1.7 million decrease in logo revenue was a result of internal growth of approximately $1.7 million was offset by a decrease of $3.4 million of revenue due to the loss of various logo contracts.
     Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased $39.6 million, or 3.2%, primarily as a result of the reduction in occupancy primarily in the fourth quarter of 2008 as discussed above. See “Reconciliations” below.
     Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $14.1 million, or 2.1%, to $695.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $681.2 million for the same period in 2007. There was an $18.5 million decrease in non-cash compensation expense related to performance based compensation, offset by a $29.6 million increase in operating expenses related to the operations of acquired outdoor advertising assets and increases in the cost of operating the Company’s core assets and a $3.0 million increase in corporate expenses.
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase is primarily a result of capital expenditures of $103.7 million related to digital billboards which are depreciated using a shorter expected life than the traditional billboards.
     Due to the above factors, operating income decreased $46.6 million to $178.8 million for year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $225.4 million for the same period in 2007.
     The Company recognized a $1.8 million return on investment compared to a $15.4 million gain as a result of the sale of a private company recognized in the first quarter of 2007, which represents a decrease of 88.3% over the prior period.
     Interest expense increased $1.8 million from $168.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $170.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 due to a decrease in interest rates on variable-rate debt offset by increased debt balances.
     The decrease in operating income, the decrease in gain on disposition of investment, and the increase in interest expense described above resulted in a $63.4 million decrease in income before income taxes. This decrease in income resulted in a decrease in the income tax expense of $24.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 over the same period in 2007. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 81.2%, which is greater than the statutory rates due to permanent differences resulting from non-deductible expenses.
     As a result of the above factors, the Company recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $2.2 million, as compared to net income of $41.0 million for the same period in 2007.
Reconciliations:
     Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2006 (the “acquired assets”) have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2007 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2007 net revenue by adding to it the net revenue generated by the acquired assets prior to our acquisition of them for the same time frame that those assets were owned in 2008. We provide this information as a supplement to net revenues to enable investors to compare periods in 2008 and 2007 on a more consistent basis without the effects of acquisitions. Management uses this comparison to assess how well our core assets are performing.

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     Acquisition-adjusted net revenue is not determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For this adjustment, we measure the amount of pre-acquisition revenue generated by the acquired assets during the period in 2007 that corresponds with the actual period we have owned the acquired assets in 2008 (to the extent within the period to which this report relates). We refer to this adjustment as “acquisition net revenue.”
     Reconciliations of 2007 reported net revenue to 2007 acquisition-adjusted net revenue as well as a comparison of 2007 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2008 net revenue are provided below:
Comparison of 2008 Net Revenue to 2007 Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue
                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
Reported net revenue
  $ 1,198,419     $ 1,209,555  
Acquisition net revenue
          28,473  
 
           
Adjusted totals
  $ 1,198,419     $ 1,238,028  
 
           
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
     In light of the current economic recession which began in the fourth quarter of 2008 and continued in 2009, we have taken certain steps to reduce our overall operating expenses. These steps include reducing operating expenses and non-essential capital expenditures and significantly reducing acquisition activity. As part of the overall reductions in operating expenses, the company reduced its workforce from approximately 3,500 to 3,000, which represents a decrease of approximately 14%.
     The Company has historically satisfied its working capital requirements with cash from operations and borrowings under its senior credit facility. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp., is the principal borrower under the senior credit facility and maintains all corporate operating cash balances except for approximately $6.9 million in cash held at Lamar Advertising (Lamar Media’s parent Company). The cash held at Lamar Advertising will be used to fund repayment of it’s 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 and its operations. Any other cash requirements of the Company, therefore, must be funded by distributions from Lamar Media.
Sources of Cash
     Total Liquidity at December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2009 we had approximately $301.2 million of total liquidity, which is comprised of approximately $112.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and the ability to fully access our revolving senior credit facility in the amount of $188.9 million while remaining in compliance with covenant restrictions. During 2010 the Company intends to use any excess cash on hand primarily for reducing outstanding indebtedness under its senior credit facility. On February 12, 2010 the Company prepaid $43.5 million under its senior credit facility which included $16.5 million to fully extinguish its Series C Incremental Term Loan Agreement and $26.9 million of its 2010 maturities.
     Cash Generated by Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 our cash provided by operating activities was $293.7 million, $346.5 million and $354.5 million, respectively. While our net loss was approximately $58.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company generated cash from operating activities of $293.7 million during 2009 primarily due to adjustments needed to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities, which primarily includes depreciation and amortization of $336.7 million. We generated cash flows from operations during 2009 in excess of our cash needs for operations and capital expenditures as described herein. We used the excess cash generated principally for reducing outstanding indebtedness. See — “Cash Flows” for more information.
     Credit Facilities As of December 31, 2009 we had approximately $188.9 million of unused capacity under the revolving credit facility included in our senior credit facility. The senior credit facility was effective on September 30, 2005 and was comprised of a $400.0 million revolving senior credit facility and a $400.0 million term facility. We have also borrowed $789.0 million in term loans as a result of incremental borrowings (Series A through Series F) during 2006 and 2007 under the incremental facility included in our senior credit facility. In addition to those incremental borrowings, the existing incremental facility permitted us to request that our lenders enter into commitments to make additional term loans, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $500.0 million. The aggregate balance outstanding under our senior credit facility at December 31, 2009 was $1.09 billion.
     On April 2, 2009, Lamar Media entered into Amendment No. 4 (“Amendment No. 4”) to its existing senior credit facility dated as of September 30, 2005, together with its subsidiary guarantors, its subsidiary borrowers, the Company, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent to, among other things (i) reduce the amount of the revolving credit commitments available thereunder from $400 million to $200 million (ii) increase the interest rate margins for the revolving credit facility and term loans under the Credit Agreement, (iii) make certain changes to the provisions regarding mandatory prepayments of loans, (iv) amend certain financial covenants and (v) cause us and our subsidiary guarantors to pledge additional collateral, including certain owned real estate properties, to secure loans made under the senior credit facility. Amendment No. 4 and the changes it made to the senior credit facility were effective as of April 6, 2009.

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     Amendment No. 4 also reduced our incremental loan facility from $500 million to $300 million. The incremental facility permits us to request that its lenders enter into commitments to make additional term loans, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $300 million. Our lenders have no obligation to make additional loans out of the $300 million incremental facility, but may enter into such commitments at their sole discretion.
Proceeds from the Sale of Debt and Equity Securities.
     On August 17, 2006, Lamar Media Corp. issued $216.0 million 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of our existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010. The net proceeds from this issuance were used to reduce borrowings under Lamar Media’s bank credit facility and repurchase the Company’s Class A common stock pursuant to its then existing repurchase plan.
     On May 31, 2007, the Company commenced an offer to exchange all of its outstanding 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 (the “outstanding notes”), for an equal amount of newly issued 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010—Series B (“the new notes”) and cash. The new notes are a separate series of debt securities. The purpose of the exchange offer was to exchange outstanding notes for new notes with certain different terms, including the type of consideration the Company may use to pay holders who convert their notes. Among their features, the new notes are convertible into Class A common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option, subject to certain conditions, while the outstanding notes are convertible solely into the Company’s Class A common stock. This exchange was completed on July 3, 2007, when the Company accepted for exchange $287.2 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes, representing approximately 99.9 percent of the total outstanding notes with approximately $0.3 million aggregate principal amount remaining of outstanding notes.
     On October 11, 2007, Lamar Media Corp. completed an institutional private placement of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series C. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of the existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010. A portion of the $256.7 million net proceeds from the offering of the Notes was used to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under Lamar Media’s senior revolving credit facility.
     On March 27, 2009, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $350 million in aggregate principal amount (approximately $314.9 million in gross proceeds) of 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2014. These senior notes are unsecured obligations that rank senior to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future debt that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the senior notes, including Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B, and its 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series C. The senior notes will rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future liabilities that are not so subordinated and will be effectively subordinated to all of its secured debt (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt), including Lamar Media’s senior credit facility, and structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities of any of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the senior notes.. At any time prior to April 1, 2014, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the senior notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. Lamar Media also may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of these senior notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 109.75% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including additional interest, if any), with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before April 1, 2012. Lamar Media distributed the proceeds of this offering, after the payment of fees and expenses, to Lamar Advertising in order to enable Lamar Advertising to repurchase some or all of its outstanding 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 — Series B (pursuant to a tender offer, one or more open market transactions or individually negotiated transactions) or to fund repayment of its convertible notes at maturity.
Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
     Internally Generated Funds. The key factors affecting internally generated cash flow are general economic conditions, specific economic conditions in the markets where the Company conducts its business and overall spending on advertising by advertisers.
     Credit Facilities and Other Debt Securities. Lamar must comply with certain covenants and restrictions related to its credit facility and its outstanding debt securities.

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     Restrictions Under Debt Securities. Lamar must comply with certain covenants and restrictions related to its outstanding debt securities. 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 “7 1/4% Notes”), $400.0 million 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 issued August 2005, $216.0 million 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B issued in August 2006 and $275.0 million 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series C issued in October 2007 (collectively, the “6 5/8% Notes”) and $350 million 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2014 issued in March 2009 (the “9 3/4% Notes). The indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict its ability to incur indebtedness but permit the incurrence of indebtedness (including indebtedness under its senior credit facility), (i) if no default or event of default would result from such incurrence and (ii) if after giving effect to any such incurrence, the leverage ratio (defined as total consolidated debt to trailing four fiscal quarter EBITDA (as defined in the indentures)) would be less than (a) 6.5 to 1, pursuant to the 7 1/4% Notes and 9 3/4% Notes indenture, and (b) 7.0 to 1, pursuant to the 6 5/8% Notes indentures.
     In addition to debt incurred under the provisions described in the preceding sentence, the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes permit Lamar Media to incur indebtedness pursuant to the following baskets:
    up to $1.3 billion of indebtedness under its senior credit facility;
 
    currently outstanding indebtedness or debt incurred to refinance outstanding debt;
 
    inter-company debt between Lamar Media and its subsidiaries or between subsidiaries;
 
    certain purchase money indebtedness and capitalized lease obligations to acquire or lease property in the ordinary course of business that cannot exceed the greater of $20 million or 5% of Lamar Media’s net tangible assets; and
 
    additional debt not to exceed $40 million.
     Restrictions under Senior Credit Facility. Lamar Media is required to comply with certain covenants and restrictions under its senior credit facility. If the Company fails to comply with these tests, the long term debt payments may be accelerated. At December 31, 2009 and currently, Lamar Media is in compliance with all such tests. We must be in compliance with the following financial ratios under our senior credit facility:
    a total debt ratio, defined as total consolidated debt to EBITDA, as defined below, for the most recent four fiscal quarters as set forth below:
         
Period   Ratio
Amendment No. 4 Effective Date through and including March 31, 2009
    7.25 to 1.00  
Thereafter through and including June 30, 2009
    7.50 to 1.00  
Thereafter through and including June 30, 2010
    7.75 to 1.00  
Thereafter through and including December 31, 2010
    7.50 to 1.00  
Thereafter through and including March 31, 2011
    7.00 to 1.00  
Thereafter through and including June 30, 2011
    6.75 to 1.00  
Thereafter through and including September 30, 2011
    6.25 to 1.00  
Thereafter
    6.00 to 1.00  
    a senior debt ratio, defined as total senior debt to EBITDA, as defined below, for the most recent four fiscal quarters as set forth below:
     
Period   Ratio
Amendment No. 4 Effective Date through and including March 31, 2009
  4.00 to 1.00
Thereafter through and including March 31, 2010
  4.25 to 1.00
Thereafter through and including September 30, 2010
  4.00 to 1.00
Thereafter through and including December 31, 2010
  3.75 to 1.00
Thereafter through and including March 31, 2011
  3.50 to 1.00
Thereafter through and including September 30, 2011
  3.25 to 1.00
Thereafter through and including December 30, 2011
  3.00 to 1.00
Thereafter
  2.00 to 1.00
    a fixed charges coverage ratio, defined as EBITDA, (as defined below), for the most recent four fiscal quarters to the sum of (1) the total payments of principal and interest on debt for such period, plus (2) capital expenditures made during such period, plus (3) income and franchise tax payments made during such period, plus (4) dividends, of greater than 1.05 to 1.

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     The definition of “EBITDA” was revised in Amendment No. 4 as follows: “EBITDA” means, for any period, operating income for the Company and its subsidiaries (other than any unrestricted subsidiary) (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP) for such period (calculated before taxes, interest expense, interest in respect of mirror loan indebtedness, depreciation, amortization and any other non-cash income or charges accrued for such period, one-time cash restructuring charges and cash severance charges in the fiscal years ending on December 31, 2008 and 2009 which charges shall not in the aggregate exceed $2.5 million for such fiscal years) for such period and (except to the extent received or paid in cash by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (other than any unrestricted subsidiary) 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 and Dispositions. For purposes hereof, the effect thereon of any adjustments required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R shall be excluded.
     The Company believes that its current level of cash on hand, availability under its senior credit facility and future cash flows from operations are sufficient to meet its operating needs through fiscal 2010. All debt obligations are reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.
Uses of Cash
     Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures excluding acquisitions were approximately $38.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. We anticipate our 2010 total capital expenditures to be approximately $40 million.
     Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company financed its acquisition activity of approximately $4.5 million with cash on hand. In light of the current economic recession, the Company plans to continue to limit acquisition activity during 2010 with no material spending currently planned for acquisitions.
     Tender Offers. On March 23, 2009, Lamar Advertising commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 — Series B. The tender offer expired on April 17, 2009. As a result of the tender offer, Lamar Advertising accepted for payment $153.6 million principal amount of notes at a purchase price of $142.7 million, which was 92% of the original principal amount of the notes, including all accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including the payment date of April 20, 2009.
     On June 6, 2009, Lamar Advertising commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its remaining outstanding 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 — Series B. The tender offer expired on July 14, 2009. As a result of the tender offer, Lamar Advertising accepted for payment $120.4 million in principal amount of notes at a purchase price of $117.8 million, which was 97.75% of the original amount of the notes, including all accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including the payment date of July 15, 2009. Pursuant to the terms of the tender offer, convertible notes not tendered, or tendered and validly withdrawn, in the tender offer remain outstanding, and the terms and conditions governing the note, including the covenants and other provisions contained in the indentures governing the notes, remain unchanged.
     In addition, on August 18, 2009, the Company accepted for payment $7.1 million in principal amount of 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 — Series B, which was 99.9% of the original amount of the notes and on October 6, 2009, the Company accepted for payment $3.0 million in principal amount of 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010-Series B, which was 99.75% of the original amount of the notes. Both of these prepayments were in privately negotiated transactions. There was $3.4 million in principal amount of 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 outstanding as of December 31, 2009.
     Stock Repurchase Program. In November 2005, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s Class A common stock. The Company completed this repurchase plan in July 2006, repurchasing approximately 4.9 million shares of its Class A common stock.
     In August 2006, the Company announced a second repurchase plan of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s Class A common stock, which was completed in July 2007. The Company’s Board of Directors adopted a third $500 million repurchase plan in February 2007, which expired on February 22, 2009. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company purchased approximately 2.6 million shares and 6.7 million shares of its Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $90.5 million and $383.6 million, respectively. Shares repurchased under the plan were made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of the shares repurchased were determined by Lamar’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. All repurchased shares are available for future use for general corporate and other purposes.

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     Special Cash Dividend. In February 2007, the Company’s board of directors declared a special divided of $3.25 per share of Common Stock. The dividend of $318.3 million in aggregate amount was paid on March 30, 2007 to stockholders of record on March 22, 2007. Lamar had 82,541,461 shares of Class A Common Stock and 15,397,865 shares of Class B Common Stock, which is convertible into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one-basis at the option of its holder, outstanding as of March 22, 2007.
     Debt Service and Contractual Obligations. As of December 31, 2009, we had outstanding debt of approximately $2.67 billion. 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:
                                         
            Payments Due by Period  
            Less Than                     After  
Contractual Obligations   Total     1 Year     1 - 3 Years     3 - 5 Years     5 Years  
                    (In millions)                  
Long-Term Debt
  $ 2,674.9     $ 121.3     $ 620.3     $ 1,063.2     $ 870.1  
Interest obligations on long term debt(1)
    761.0       179.5       325.2       210.8       45.5  
Billboard site and other operating leases
    1,185.5       149.1       237.9       183.3       615.2  
 
                             
Total payments due
  $ 4,621.4     $ 449.9     $ 1,183.4     $ 1,457.3     $ 1,530.8  
 
(1)   Interest rates on our variable rate instruments are assuming rates at the December 2009 levels.
                                         
            Amount of Expiration Per Period
    Total Amount   Less Than 1                   After
Other Commercial Commitments   Committed   Year   1 - 3 Years   3 - 5 Years   5 Years
    (In millions)
Revolving Bank Facility(2)
  $ 200.0     $  —     $ 200.0     $  —     $  —  
Standby Letters of Credit(3)
  $ 11.1     $ 7.8     $ 3.3     $     $  
 
(2)   Lamar Media had $0.0 outstanding under the revolving facility at December 31, 2009.
 
(3)   The standby letters of credit are issued under Lamar Media’s revolving bank facility and reduce the availability of the facility by the same amount.
Cash Flows
     The Company’s cash flows provided by operating activities decreased by $52.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 due to a decrease in net income of $60.2 million as described in “Results of Operations”, a decrease in adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities of $30.9 million primarily due to an increase in deferred tax benefits of $40.1 million. In addition, as compared to the same period in 2008, there were decreases in the change in prepaid expenses of $5.4 million, accrued expenses of $16.8 million and other liabilities of $10.1 million.
     Cash flows used in investing activities decreased $408.4 million from $437.4 million in 2008 to $29.0 million in 2009 primarily due to a decrease in cash used in acquisition activity by the Company in 2009 of $245.5 million and a reduction in capital expenditures of $159.3 million.
     Cash flows used in financing activities was $168.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 primarily due to the net payments under the credit facility of $198.7 million, the $269.1 million of payments on the 2 7/8% convertible notes, offset by the $314.9 million in proceeds from the 9 3/4% senior note offering in March 2009.
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 GAAP. 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, asset retirement obligations 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.

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     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 $1.4 billion and intangible assets of $670.5 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 future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by that asset before interest expense. These undiscounted cash flow projections are based on management’s 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. During the year ended December 31, 2009 there were no indications that an impairment test was necessary.
     Intangible Assets. The Company has significant intangible assets recorded on its balance sheet. Intangible assets primarily represent site locations of $630.4 million and customer relationships of $36.0 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 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 has a significant amount of goodwill on its balance sheet and must perform an impairment test of goodwill annually or on a more frequent basis if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The first step of the impairment test requires management to determine the implied fair value of its reporting units and compare it to its book value (including goodwill). To the extent the book value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company would be required to perform the second step of the impairment test, as this is an indicator that the reporting unit may be impaired. Impairment testing involves various estimates and assumptions, which could vary, and an analysis of relevant market data and market capitalization.
     We have identified two reporting units (Logo operations and Billboard operations) in accordance with ASC 350. No changes have been made to our reporting units from the prior period. The reporting units and their carrying amounts of goodwill as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
                 
    Carrying Value of Goodwill
    (in thousands)
    December 31, 2009   December 31, 2008
Billboard operations
    1,423,322       1,415,435  
Logo operations
    961       961  
     We believe there are numerous facts and circumstances that need to be considered when estimating the reasonableness of the reporting unit’s estimated fair value, especially in the current recession. In conducting our impairment test, we assessed the reasonableness of the reporting unit’s estimated fair value based on both market capitalization and discounted future cash flows. The discounted cash flow analysis incorporated various growth rate assumptions and discounting based on a present value factor.
Consideration of market capitalization
     The Company first considered its market capitalization as of its annual impairment testing date of December 31. The market capitalization of its Class A common stock as of December 31, 2009 was $2.96 billion compared to stockholders’ equity of $831.8 million as of that date, resulting in an excess of approximately $2.1 billion. The Company considers market capitalization over book value a strong indicator that no impairment of goodwill exists as of the measurement date of December 31, 2009. The following table presents the market capitalization and aggregate book value of the reporting units as of December 31, 2009:
                 
            Market
    Equity Book Value   Capitalization(1)
    (in thousands)
Aggregate Values as of December 31, 2009
    831,798       2,960,320  
 
(1)   Market capitalization was calculated using a 10-day average of the closing prices of the Class A common stock beginning 5 trading days prior to the measurement date.

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Calculations of Fair Value using Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
     We also estimate fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis that compares the estimated future cash flows of each reporting unit to the book value of the reporting unit.
     The discount rate and projected revenue and EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) growth rates are significant assumptions utilized in our calculation of the present value of cash flows used to estimate fair value of the reporting units. These assumptions could be adversely impacted by certain risks including deterioration in industry and economic conditions.
     Our discount rate assumption is based on our cost of capital, which we determine annually based on our estimated costs of debt and equity relative to our capital structure. As of December 31, 2009 our weighted average cost of capital (WACC) was approximately 10%, which is slightly higher than our historical rate due to increased market risk given the current economic conditions. Based on our analysis, our WACC must exceed 13.0% before the second step of the impairment test would be required.
     In developing our revenue and EBITDA growth rates, we consider our historical performance and current market trends in the markets in which we operate. The following table describes the growth rates used in our analysis, which indicated no impairment charge was required, compared to our recent historical rates achieved:
Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR)
                                 
    Revenue   EBITDA
            5 year           5 year
    Historical*   projected rate   Historical*   projected rate
Billboard operations
    0.8 %     5.4 %     (0.5 %)     7.3 %
Logo operations
    0.8 %     2.4 %     (5.6 %)     3.6 %
 
*   Calculated based on the Company’s historical results from 2005 to 2009.
     Our December 31, 2009 discounted cash flow analysis does not indicate the need for step two of the impairment test unless the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), calculated using projections over the next 5 years, for revenue declines to less than (2.7%) for our billboard operations and less than (13.7%) for our logo operations, and the CAGR for EBITDA declines to less than (2.1%) for our billboard operations and less than (12.7%) for our logo operations. Assumptions used in our impairment test, such as forecasted growth rates and our cost of capital, are based on the best available market information and are consistent with our internal forecast and operating plans. In addition, our forecasts were based on the current economic recession continuing through 2010. A prolonged recession or changes in our forecasts could change our conclusion regarding an impairment of goodwill and potentially result in a non-cash impairment loss in a future period. In addition, these assumptions could be adversely impacted by certain risks discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report. For additional information about goodwill, see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table presents the aggregate fair value of our reporting units and aggregate book value of the reporting units as of December 31, 2009:
                 
    Equity Book Value   Fair Value (1)
    (in thousands)
Aggregate Values as of December 31, 2009
    831,798       3,026,891  
 
(1)   Fair Value is calculated using the discounted cash flow analysis described above.
     Based upon the Company’s annual review as of December 31, 2009, using both the market capitalization approach and discounted cash flow analysis, there was no indication of a potential impairment and, therefore, the second step of the impairment test was not required and no impairment charge was necessary.
     Deferred Taxes. As of December 31, 2009, the Company determined that its deferred tax assets of $206.2 million, a component of which is the Company’s operating loss carry forward, net of existing valuation allowances, are fully realizable due to the existence of certain deferred tax liabilities of approximately $308.8 million that are anticipated to reverse during the carry forward period. The Company bases this determination by projecting taxable income over the relevant period. 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 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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     Asset Retirement Obligations. The Company had an asset retirement obligation of $160.3 million as of December 31, 2009. This liability relates to the Company’s obligation upon the termination or non-renewal of a lease to dismantle and remove its billboard structures from the leased land and to reclaim the site to its original condition. 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. 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.
     This calculation includes 100% of the Company’s billboard structures on leased land (which currently consist of approximately 75,000 structures). The Company uses a 15-year retirement period based on historical operating experience in its core markets, including the actual time that billboard structures have been located on leased land in such markets and the actual length of the leases in the core markets, which includes the initial term of the lease, plus any renewal period. Historical third-party cost information is used with respect to the dismantling of the structures and the reclamation of the site. The interest rate used to calculate the present value of such costs over the retirement period is based on credit rates historically available to the Company.
     Stock-based Compensation. Share-based compensation expense is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest. Share-Based Payment Accounting requires the use of a valuation model to calculate the fair value of share-based awards. The Company has elected to use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model incorporates various assumptions, including volatility, expected life and interest rates. The expected life is based on the observed and expected time to post-vesting exercise and forfeitures of stock options by our employees. Upon the adoption of Share-Based Payment Accounting, we used a combination of historical and implied volatility, or blended volatility, in deriving the expected volatility assumption as allowed under Share-Based Payment Accounting. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the term of our stock options. The dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of dividend payouts. Share-Based Payment Accounting requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on our historical experience. If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the application of Share-Based Payment Accounting in future periods, the compensation expense that we record under Share-Based Payment Accounting may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period. During 2009, we recorded $11.3 million as compensation expense related to stock options and employee stock purchases. We evaluate and adjust our assumptions on an annual basis. See Note 14 “Stock Compensation Plans” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
     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 $12.7 million, $14.4 million and $7.2 million and or approximately 1.2%, 1.2% and 0.6% of net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. If the current economic recession is prolonged or increases in severity, 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.
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, 2009, 2008 and 2007. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media and the related notes.
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, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Net revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses:
                       
Direct advertising expenses
    37.7       36.5       34.0  
General and administrative expenses
    17.7       17.3       17.4  
Corporate expenses
    4.0       4.1       4.9  
Depreciation and amortization
    31.9       27.7       25.4  
Operating income
    9.3       15.0       18.7  
Interest expense
    18.2       13.2       13.3  
Net (loss) income
    (5.3 )     0.9       3.8  

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Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to Year ended December 31, 2008
     Net revenues decreased $142.4 million or 11.9% to $1.06 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $1.20 billion for the same period in 2008. This decrease was attributable primarily to a decrease in billboard net revenues of $132.3 million or, 12.1%, over the prior period, a $10.6 million decrease in transit revenue, or 17.4%, over the prior period due to lost transit contracts in 2009, offset by a $0.5 million increase in logo revenue, of 1.1%, over the prior period.
     The decrease in billboard net revenue of $132.3 million was a result of decreased rate and occupancy due to a reduction in advertising spending by our customers, resulting from the current economic recession, which began in the fourth quarter of 2008. The $10.6 million decrease in transit revenue consists of a $0.8 million decrease due to lost transit contracts and a $9.8 million decrease resulting from the current economic recession.
     Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008, decreased $155.3 million or 12.8% primarily as a result of the reduction in rate and occupancy as discussed above. See “Reconciliations” below.
     Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, decreased $67.7 million or 9.7% to $626.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 from $694.4 million for the same period in 2008. There was a $3.5 million increase in non-cash compensation expense related to performance based compensation, offset by a $64.1 million decrease in operating expenses related to costs in operating the Company’s core assets and a $7.1 million decrease in corporate expenses.
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase is primarily a result of accelerated depreciation on dismantled structures during 2009.
     Due to the above factors, operating income decreased $81.7 million to $98.0 million for year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $179.7 million for the same period in 2008.
     Interest expense increased $34.0 million from $157.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $191.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 due to the issuance of $350 million principal amount 9 3/4% senior notes and the increase in interest rates resulting from the amendments to our senior credit facility in April 2009.
     The decrease in operating income and the increase in interest expense resulted in a $116.8 million decrease in income before income taxes. This decrease in income resulted in a decrease in the income tax expense of $50.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 over the same period in 2008. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 39.3%.
     As a result of the above factors, Lamar Media recognized a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $55.8 million, as compared to net income of $10.4 million for the same period in 2008.
Reconciliations:
     Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2007 (the “acquired assets”) have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2008 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2008 net revenue by adding to it the net revenue generated by the acquired assets prior to our acquisition of them for the same time frame that those assets were owned in 2009. We provide this information as a supplement to net revenues to enable investors to compare periods in 2009 and 2008 on a more consistent basis without the effects of acquisitions. Management uses this comparison to assess how well our core assets are performing.
     Acquisition-adjusted net revenue is not determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For this adjustment, we measure the amount of pre-acquisition revenue generated by the acquired assets during the period in 2008 that corresponds with the actual period we have owned the acquired assets in 2009 (to the extent within the period to which this report relates). We refer to this adjustment as “acquisition net revenue.”
     Reconciliations of 2008 reported net revenue to 2008 acquisition-adjusted net revenue as well as a comparison of 2008 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2009 net revenue are provided below:

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Comparison of 2009 Net Revenue to 2008 Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue
                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
Reported net revenue
  $ 1,056,065     $ 1,198,419  
Acquisition net revenue
          12,955  
 
           
Adjusted totals
  $ 1,056,065     $ 1,211,374  
 
           
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to Year ended December 31, 2007
     Net revenues decreased $11.1 million or 0.9% to $1.20 billion for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1.21 billion for the same period in 2007. This decrease was attributable primarily to a decrease in billboard net revenues of $9.7 million or 0.9% over the prior period and a $1.7 million decrease in logo sign revenue over the prior period due to contracts lost in the fourth quarter of 2008.
     The decrease in billboard net revenue of $9.7 million was a result of decreased occupancy due to a reduction in advertising spending based on the deterioration of the economy which accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2008. The $1.7 million decrease in logo revenue was a result of internal growth of approximately $1.7 million was offset by a decrease of $3.4 million of revenue due to the loss of various logo contracts.
     Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to acquisition-adjusted net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased $39.6 million or 3.2% primarily as a result of the reduction in occupancy as discussed above. See “Reconciliations” below.
     Operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization and gain on sale of assets, increased $13.8 million or 2.0% to $694.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 from $680.6 million for the same period in 2007. There was an $18.5 million decrease in non-cash compensation expense related to performance based compensation, offset by a $29.6 million increase in operating expenses related to the operations of acquired outdoor advertising assets and increases in costs in operating the Company’s core assets and a $2.7 million increase in corporate expenses.
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase is a result of capital expenditures in 2008 including $103.7 million related to digital billboards which are depreciated using a shorter expected life than traditional billboards.
     Due to the above factors, operating income decreased $46.2 million to $179.7 million for year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $226.0 million for the same period in 2007.
     Lamar Media recognized a $1.8 million return on investment compared to a $15.4 million gain as a result of the sale of a private company recognized in the first quarter 2007, which represents a decrease of 88.3% over the prior period.
     Interest expense decreased $3.3 million from $161.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $157.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 due to a decrease in interest rates on variable-rate debt offset by an increased debt balance.
     The decrease in operating income and the decrease in gain on disposition of investment offset by the decrease in interest expense resulted in a $58.0 million decrease in income before income taxes. This decrease in income resulted in a decrease in the income tax expense of $22.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 over the same period in 2007. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 58.3%, which is greater than the statutory rates due to permanent differences resulting from non-deductible expenses.
     As a result of the above factors, Lamar Media recognized net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $10.4 million, as compared to net income of $45.6 million for the same period in 2007.
Reconciliations:
     Because acquisitions occurring after December 31, 2006 (the “acquired assets”) have contributed to our net revenue results for the periods presented, we provide 2007 acquisition-adjusted net revenue, which adjusts our 2007 net revenue by adding to it the net revenue generated by the acquired assets prior to our acquisition of them for the same time frame that those assets were owned in 2008. We provide this information as a supplement to net revenues to enable investors to compare periods in 2008 and 2007 on a more consistent basis without the effects of acquisitions. Management uses this comparison to assess how well our core assets are performing.

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     Acquisition-adjusted net revenue is not determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For this adjustment, we measure the amount of pre-acquisition revenue generated by the acquired assets during the period in 2007 that corresponds with the actual period we have owned the acquired assets in 2008 (to the extent within the period to which this report relates). We refer to this adjustment as “acquisition net revenue.”
     Reconciliations of 2007 reported net revenue to 2007 acquisition-adjusted net revenue as well as a comparison of 2007 acquisition-adjusted net revenue to 2008 net revenue are provided below:
Comparison of 2008 Net Revenue to 2007 Acquisition-Adjusted Net Revenue
                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
Reported net revenue
  $ 1,198,419     $ 1,209,555  
Acquisition net revenue
          28,473  
 
           
Adjusted totals
  $ 1,198,419     $ 1,238,028  
 
           
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, 2009, 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 senior credit facility 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 senior credit facility. Increases in the interest rates applicable to borrowings under the senior credit facility would result in increased interest expense and a reduction in the Company’s net income.
     At December 31, 2009 there was approximately $1.1 billion of aggregate indebtedness outstanding under the senior credit facility, or approximately 40.9% of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt on that date, bearing interest at variable rates. The aggregate interest expense for 2009 with respect to borrowings under the senior credit facility was $61.8 million, and the weighted average interest rate applicable to borrowings under this credit facility during 2009 was 4.8%. Assuming that the weighted average interest rate was 200 basis points higher (that is 6.8% rather than 4.8%), then the Company’s 2009 interest expense would have been approximately $24.2 million higher resulting in a $15.5 million decrease in the Company’s 2009 net income.
     The Company attempted to mitigate 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 senior credit facility 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 (in certain cases with the consent of the lenders), 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)

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
         
    31  
    32  
    33  
    34  
    35  
    36  
    37  
    38-57  
    58  

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     The management of Lamar Advertising Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.
     Lamar Advertising’s management assessed the effectiveness of Lamar Advertising’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, Lamar Advertising’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, Lamar Advertising’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. The effectiveness of Lamar Advertising’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8 to this Annual Report.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Lamar Advertising Company:
     We have audited Lamar Advertising Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Lamar Advertising Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
     We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
     A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
     Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
     In our opinion, Lamar Advertising Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
     We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Lamar Advertising Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and the financial statement schedule, and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and schedule.
         
     
  /s/ KPMG LLP    
  KPMG LLP   
     
 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 26, 2010

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Lamar Advertising Company:
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lamar Advertising Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule. 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.
     We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Lamar Advertising Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 26, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
     
  /s/ KPMG LLP    
  KPMG LLP   
     
 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 26, 2010

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
    2009     2008  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 112,253     $ 14,139  
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,550 and $10,000 in 2009 and 2008
    142,518       155,043  
Prepaid expenses
    40,588       44,377  
Deferred income tax assets (note 11)
    13,523       8,949  
Other current assets
    59,054       38,475  
 
           
Total current assets
    367,936       260,983  
 
           
 
               
Property, plant and equipment (note 4)
    2,828,726       2,900,970  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,421,815 )     (1,305,937 )
 
           
Net property, plant and equipment
    1,406,911       1,595,033  
 
           
 
               
Goodwill (note 5)
    1,424,283       1,416,396  
Intangible assets, net (note 5)
    670,501       773,764  
Deferred financing costs net of accumulated amortization of $37,880 and $36,670 at 2009 and 2008, respectively
    32,613       24,372  
Other assets
    41,297       46,477  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 3,943,541     $ 4,117,025  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Trade accounts payable
  $ 10,678     $ 15,108  
Current maturities of long-term debt (note 8)
    121,282       58,751  
Accrued expenses (note 7)
    95,616       78,089  
Deferred income
    36,131       30,612  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    263,707       182,560  
 
               
Long-term debt (note 8)
    2,553,630       2,755,698  
Deferred income tax liabilities (note 11)
    116,130       132,072  
Asset retirement obligation (note 9)
    160,260       160,723  
Other liabilities
    18,016       15,354  
 
           
Total liabilities
    3,111,743       3,246,407  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity (note 13):
               
Series AA preferred stock, par value $.001, $63.80 cumulative dividends, authorized 5,720 shares; 5,720 shares issued and outstanding at 2009 and 2008
           
Class A preferred stock, par value $638, $63.80 cumulative dividends, 10,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding at 2009 and 2008
           
Class A common stock, par value $.001, 175,000,000 shares authorized, 93,742,080 and 93,339,895 shares issued and 76,796,827 and 76,401,592 outstanding at 2009 and 2008, respectively
    94       93  
Class B common stock, par value $.001, 37,500,000 shares authorized, 15,172,865 shares issued and outstanding at 2009 and 2008
    15       15  
Additional paid-in-capital
    2,361,166       2,347,854  
Accumulated comprehensive income (deficit)
    5,248       (1,066 )
Accumulated deficit
    (651,317 )     (592,914 )
Cost of shares held in treasury, 16,945,253 shares and 16,938,303 shares in 2009 and 2008, respectively
    (883,408 )     (883,364 )
 
           
Stockholders’ equity
    831,798       870,618  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 3,943,541     $ 4,117,025  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Net revenues
  $ 1,056,065     $ 1,198,419     $ 1,209,555  
 
                 
Operating expenses (income):
                       
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
    397,725       437,660       410,762  
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
    186,733       207,321       210,793  
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
    42,690       50,300       59,597  
Depreciation and amortization (Note 10)
    336,725       331,654       306,879  
Gain on disposition of assets
    (5,424 )     (7,363 )     (3,914 )
 
                 
 
    958,449       1,019,572       984,117  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating income
    97,616       178,847       225,438  
 
                       
Other expense (income):
                       
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    (3,320 )            
Gain on disposition of investment
    (1,445 )     (1,814 )     (15,448 )
Interest income
    (527 )     (1,202 )     (2,598 )
Interest expense
    197,047       170,352       168,601  
 
                 
 
                       
 
    191,755       167,336       150,555  
 
                 
(Loss) income before income tax expense
    (94,139 )     11,511       74,883  
Income tax (benefit) expense (note 11)
    (36,101 )     9,349       33,901  
 
                 
Net (loss) income
    (58,038 )     2,162       40,982  
Preferred stock dividends
    365       365       365  
 
                 
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock
  $ (58,403 )   $ 1,797     $ 40,617  
 
                 
 
                       
(Loss) earnings per share:
                       
Basic (loss) earnings per share
  $ (0.64 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.42  
 
                 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
  $ (0.64 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.42  
 
                 
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock
  $     $     $ 3.25  
 
                 
 
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    91,730,109       92,125,660       96,779,009  
Incremental common shares from dilutive stock options
          181,180       774,898  
Incremental common shares from convertible debt
                 
 
                 
Weighted average common shares assuming dilution
    91,730,109       92,306,840       97,553,907  
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Deficit)
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands, except share per share data)
                                                                         
                                                    Accumulated              
    Series AA     Class A     Class A     Class B             Add’l     Comprehensive              
    PREF     PREF     CMN     CMN     Treasury     Paid in     Income     Accumulated        
    Stock     Stock     Stock     Stock     Stock     Capital     (Deficit)     Deficit     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2006
  $             92       15       (399,471 )     2,250,716       2,253       (317,025 )     1,536,580  
Non-cash compensation
                                    27,488                   27,488  
Exercise of 311,045 shares of stock options
                1                   10,605                   10,606  
Issuance of shares of common stock through employee purchase plan
                                  3,603                   3,603  
Dividends to Common Shareholders
                                              (318,303 )     (318,303 )
Tax Deduction related to options exercised
                                  6,698                   6,698  
Purchase of 6,848,546 shares of treasury stock
                            (390,503 )                       (390,503 )
Bifurcation of 2 7/8% convertible notes
                                  24,143                   24,143  
Comprehensive income Foreign currency translation
                                        6,747             6,747  
Change in unrealized loss on hedging transaction
                                        (179 )           (179 )
Net income
                                                40,982       40,982  
 
                                                                     
Comprehensive income
                                                    47,550  
Dividends ($63.80 per preferred share)
                                              (365 )     (365 )
 
                                                     
Balance, December 31, 2007
  $             93       15       (789,974 )     2,323,253       8,821       (594,711 )     947,497  
Non-cash compensation
                                  9,005                   9,005  
Exercise of 246,489 shares of stock options
                                  7,802                   7,802  
Issuance of shares of common stock through employee purchase plan
                                  3,379                   3,379  
Conversion of 200,000 shares of Class B common stock to Class A common stock
                                                     
Tax deduction related to options exercised
                                  4,415                   4,415  
Purchase of 2,629,007 shares of treasury stock
                            (93,390 )                       (93,390 )
Comprehensive income (deficit) Foreign currency translation
                                        (6,252 )           (6,252 )
Change in unrealized loss on hedging transaction, net of tax $2,398
                                        (3,635 )           (3,635 )
Net income
                                                2,162       2,162  
 
                                                                     
Comprehensive deficit
                                                    (7,725 )
Dividends ($63.80 per preferred share)
                                              (365 )     (365 )
 
                                                     
Balance, December 31, 2008
  $             93       15       (883,364 )     2,347,854       (1,066 )     (592,914 )     870,618  
Non-cash compensation
                                  12,462                   12,462  
Exercise of 111,843 shares of stock options
                1                   1,937                   1,938  
Issuance of shares of common stock through employee purchase plan
                                  2,902                   2,902  
Tax deduction related to options exercised
                                  25                   25  
Purchase of 6,950 shares of treasury stock
                            (44 )                       (44 )
Payment on 2 7/8% convertible notes
                                  (4,014 )                 (4,014 )
Comprehensive income (deficit)
                                                                       
Foreign currency translation
                                        2,500             2,500  
Change in unrealized loss on hedging transaction, net of tax $2,398
                                        3,814             3,814  
Net loss
                                                (58,038 )     (58,038 )
 
                                                                     
Comprehensive deficit
                                                    (51,724 )
Dividends ($63.80 per preferred share)
                                              (365 )     (365 )
 
                                                     
Balance, December 31, 2009
  $             94       15       (883,408 )     2,361,166       5,248       (651,317 )     831,798  
 
                                                     
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (58,038 )   $ 2,162     $ 40,982  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    336,725       331,654       306,879  
Non-cash compensation
    12,462       9,005       27,488  
Amortization included in interest expense
    19,442       16,137       10,741  
Gain on disposition of assets and investments
    (6,869 )     (9,177 )     (19,362 )
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    (3,320 )            
Deferred income tax (benefit) expenses
    (20,120 )     19,938       2,847  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    12,663       14,365       7,166  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
(Increase) decrease in:
                       
Receivables
    (2,083 )     (11,013 )     (10,859 )
Prepaid expenses
    5,959       599       (4,159 )
Other assets
    (15,064 )     (19,243 )     (14,133 )
Increase (decrease) in:
                       
Trade accounts payable
    (4,383 )     (4,452 )     5,367  
Accrued expenses
    9,676       (21 )     2,122  
Other liabilities
    6,693       (3,434 )     (610 )
 
                 
Cash flows provided by operating activities
    293,743       346,520       354,469  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (38,815 )     (198,070 )     (220,534 )
Acquisitions
    (4,457 )     (249,951 )     (153,593 )
Decrease in notes receivable
    168       267       9,420  
Proceeds from disposition of assets and investments
    14,065       10,335       23,626  
 
                 
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (29,039 )     (437,419 )     (341,081 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    4,840       11,182       14,208  
Tax deduction from options exercised
          2,156       6,698  
Cash used for purchase of treasury shares
    (44 )     (93,390 )     (390,503 )
Net payments under credit agreement
    (198,701 )     (29,412 )     (107,585 )
Payments on convertible notes
    (269,087 )            
Debt issuance costs
    (19,919 )     (169 )     (7,760 )
Net proceeds from note offerings and new notes payable
    314,927       140,000       842,887  
Dividends
    (365 )     (365 )     (318,668 )
 
                 
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities
    (168,349 )     30,002       39,277  
 
                 
 
                       
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents
    1,759       (1,012 )     11,587  
 
                 
 
                       
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    98,114       (61,909 )     64,252  
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    14,139       76,048       11,796  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 112,253     $ 14,139     $ 76,048  
 
                 
 
                       
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid for interest
  $ 169,703     $ 149,417     $ 157,549  
 
                 
Cash paid for state and federal income taxes
  $ 3,314     $ 3,933     $ 34,249  
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1) Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Nature of Business
     Lamar Advertising Company (the Company) is engaged in the outdoor advertising business, operating approximately 150,000 billboard advertising displays in 44 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Company’s operating strategy is to be the leading provider of outdoor advertising services in the markets it serves.
     In addition, the Company operates a logo sign business in 21 states throughout the United States and the province of Ontario, Canada and a transit advertising business in 63 markets. Logo signs are erected pursuant to state-awarded service contracts on public rights-of-way near highway exits and deliver brand name information on available gas, food, lodging and camping services. Included in the Company’s logo sign business are tourism signing contracts. The Company provides transit advertising on bus shelters, benches and buses in the markets it serves.
(b) Principles of Consolidation
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Lamar Advertising Company, its wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp. (Lamar Media), and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
     An operating segment is a component of an enterprise:
    that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses;
 
    whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance; and
 
    for which discrete financial information is available.
     We define the term ‘chief operating decision maker’ to be our executive management group, which consist of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Currently, all operations are reviewed on a consolidated basis for budget and business plan performance by our executive management group. Additionally, operational performance at the end of each reporting period is viewed in the aggregate by our management group. Any decisions related to changes in invested capital, personnel, operational improvement or training, or to allocate other company resources are made based on the combined results.
     We operate in a single operating and reporting segment, advertising. We sell advertising on billboards, buses, shelters and benches and logo plates.
(c) Property, Plant and Equipment
     Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated using accelerated and straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
(d) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
     Goodwill is subject to an annual impairment test. The Company designated December 31 as the date of its annual goodwill impairment test. Impairment testing involves various estimates and assumptions, which could vary, and an analysis of relevant market data and market capitalization. If industry and economic conditions continue to deteriorate, the Company may be required to assess goodwill impairment before the next annual test, which could result in impairment charges.
     The Company is required to identify its reporting units and determine the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units. The Company is required to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount of the reporting unit. To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company would be required to perform the second step of the impairment test, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     We tested our reporting units for impairment of goodwill during the first quarter of 2009 because the market capitalization of consolidated Lamar Advertising Company had been below its equity book value for a period of time without recovery, and based on that review, no impairment charge was required. In addition, the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount at its annual impairment test dates on December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, therefore the Company was not required to recognize an impairment loss in 2009 or 2008.
     Intangible assets, consisting primarily of site locations, customer lists and contracts, and non-competition agreements are amortized using the straight-line method over the assets estimated useful lives, generally from 3 to 15 years.
(e) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
     Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset before interest expense. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.
(f) Deferred Income
     Deferred income consists principally of advertising revenue invoiced in advance and gains resulting from the sale of certain assets to related parties. Deferred advertising revenue is recognized in income as services are provided over the term of the contract. Deferred gains are recognized in income in the consolidated financial statements at the time the assets are sold to an unrelated party or otherwise disposed of.
(g) Revenue Recognition
     The Company recognizes outdoor advertising revenue on an accrual basis ratably over the term of the contracts, as services are provided. Production revenue and the related expense for the advertising copy are recognized upon completion of the sale.
     The Company engages in barter transactions where the Company trades advertising space for goods and services. The Company recognizes revenues and expenses from barter transactions at fair value, which is determined based on the Company’s own historical practice of receiving cash for similar advertising space from buyers unrelated to the party in the barter transaction. The amount of revenue and expense recognized for advertising barter transactions is as follows:
                         
    2009   2008   2007
Net revenues
  $ 5,642     $ 5,531     $ 5,369  
Direct advertising expenses
  $ 2,808     $ 2,996     $ 2,820  
General and administrative expenses
  $ 2,867     $ 2,643     $ 2,546  
(h) Income Taxes
     The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(i) Earnings Per Share
     The calculation of basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effect of stock options and convertible debt, while diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options and convertible debt. The number of potentially dilutive shares excluded from the calculation because of their anti-dilutive effect are 2,580,092 for the year ended December 31, 2009, 5,879,893 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 5,813,730 for the year ended December 31, 2007.
(j) Stock Based Compensation
      Compensation expense for share-based awards is recognized based on the grant date fair value of those awards. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for pre-vesting forfeitures and is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis, which is generally commensurate with the vesting term. Non-cash compensation expense recognized during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 were $12,462, $9,005 and $27,488. The $12,462 expensed during the year ended December 31, 2009 consists of (i) $11,293 related to stock options, (ii) $911 related to stock grants, made under the Company’s performance-based stock incentive program in 2008 (iii) $258 related to stock awards to directors. See Note 14 for information on the assumptions we used to calculate the fair value of stock-based compensation.
(k) Cash and Cash Equivalents
     The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(l) Foreign Currency Translation
     Local currencies generally are considered the functional currencies outside the United States. Assets and liabilities for operations in local-currency environments are translated at year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity.
(m) Adjustments to Previously Reported Amounts
     Immaterial Correction of an Error. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company identified an error in accounting for lease escalations, resulting in an immaterial understatement of accrued expenses and direct advertising expense which effected periods beginnings fiscal 2005 through June 30, 2009. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 99, Materiality, and SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, management evaluated the materiality of the error from qualitative and quantitative perspectives, and concluded the error was immaterial to the current and prior periods. The correction of the immaterial error resulted in an understatement of accrued expenses of $5,682 and $6,016 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and an overstatement of net income of $677, and $1,450, for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
     Consequently, the Company revised its historical financial statements for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008 herein, and will revise the quarters within fiscal 2008 and 2009, when they are published in future filings. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of the error on periods prior to those that are presented herein and will be presented in future filings by increasing accrued expenses and accumulated deficit by $3,186 and $1,953, respectively, as of January 1, 2007.
     Retrospective Adoption of New Accounting Standards: On July 28, 2009, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K in which we made adjustments to our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Form 2008 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 — the “2008 10-K”, by retrospectively adopting revisions to U.S. GAAP accounting standards for ASC 470, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options. All periods and amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2008 10-K have been retrospectively adjusted in accordance with the revised guidance. On adoption of the revisions we recorded additional interest expense net of income taxes as of December 31, 2007, December 31, 2008, of $3,785 and $6,884 respectively.

40


Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(n) Asset Retirement Obligations
     The Company’s required to record the present value of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which it is 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 properties.
(o) Use of Estimates
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(p) Comprehensive Income
     Total comprehensive income and the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is composed of foreign currency translation effects and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments.
(q) Fair Value Hedging — Interest Rate Swaps
     The Company utilizes derivatives instruments such as interest rate swaps for purposes of hedging its exposure to changing interest rates. Derivative instruments subject to the requirements of ASC 815 are measured at fair value and recognized as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Upon entering into a derivative contract, the Company may designate the derivative as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge, or decide that the contract is not a hedge, and thenceforth mark the contract to market through earnings. The Company documents the relationship between the derivative instrument designated as a hedge and the hedged items, as well as its objective for risk management and strategy for use of the hedging instrument to manage the risk. Derivative instruments designated as fair value or cash flow hedges are linked to specific assets and liabilities or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company assesses at inception, and on an ongoing basis, whether a derivative instrument used as a hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. A derivative that is not a highly effective hedge does not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of a qualifying fair value hedge are recorded in earnings along with the gain or loss on the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of a qualifying cash flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the cash flows of the hedged item. When the cash flow of the hedged item is recognized in the statement of operations, the fair value of the associated cash flow hedge is reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings.
     Ineffective portions of a cash flow hedging derivative’s change in fair value are recognized currently in earnings as other income (expense). If a derivative instrument no longer qualifies as a cash flow hedge, hedge accounting is discontinued and the gain or loss that was recorded in other comprehensive incomes is recognized currently in income.
     The Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements, one on December 6, 2007 that matured in December 2009, which converted $100,000 of variable rate debt to 3.89% fixed rate debt and another entered into on December 31, 2007 that matured on December 31, 2009 which converted $100,000 of variable rate debt to a 3.995% fixed rate debt. The derivatives were designated as cash flow hedges. The fair market value of these cash flow hedges at December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 was $0 and $(6,212) respectively and is reflected in other liabilities and other comprehensive (deficit) income on the balance sheet.
(r) Subsequent Events
     The Company has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date on which the financial statements are issued.

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(2) Acquisitions
Year Ended December 31, 2009
     During the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company completed several acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets for a total purchase price of approximately $4,457 in cash.
     Each of these acquisitions was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition. The acquisition costs have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on preliminary fair market value estimates at the dates of acquisition. The allocations are pending final determination of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. The following is a summary of the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions.
         
    Total  
Property, plant and equipment
  $ 1,066  
Goodwill
    3,288  
Site locations
    1,952  
Customer lists and contracts
    159  
Current liabilities
    (2,008 )
 
     
 
  $ 4,457  
 
     
     Total acquired intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $5,399, of which $3,288 was assigned to goodwill. Although goodwill is not amortized for financial statement purposes, substantially all of the $3,288 is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes. The remaining $2,111 of acquired intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 15 years. The intangible assets include customer lists and contracts of $159 (7 year weighted average useful life) and site locations of $1,952 (15 year weighted average useful life). The aggregate amortization expense related to the 2009 acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2009 was approximately $50.
     The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the Company gives effect to the 2009 and 2008 acquisitions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2008. These pro forma results do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred on such date or to project the Company’s results of operations for any future period.
                 
    2009   2008
Net revenues
  $ 1,056,300     $ 1,211,024  
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock
  $ (58,177 )   $ (2,768 )
Net (loss) income per common share — basic
  $ (0.63 )   $ (0.03 )
Net (loss) income per common share — diluted
  $ (0.63 )   $ (0.03 )
Year Ended December 31, 2008
     During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company completed several acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets for a total purchase price of approximately $249,951 in cash.
     Each of these acquisitions was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition. The acquisition costs have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on preliminary fair market value estimates at the dates of acquisition. The allocations are pending final determination of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. The following is a summary of the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions.

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
         
    Total  
Current assets
  $ 16,999  
Property, plant and equipment
    98,673  
Goodwill
    40,781  
Site locations
    67,018  
Non-competition agreements
    2,792  
Customer lists and contracts
    12,354  
Other assets
    26,786  
Current liabilities
    (7,689 )
Long term liabilities
    (7,763 )
 
     
 
  $ 249,951  
 
     
     Total acquired intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $122,945, of which $40,781 was assigned to goodwill. Although goodwill is not amortized for financial statement purposes, substantially all of the $40,781 is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes. The remaining $82,164 of acquired intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 14 years. The intangible assets include customer lists and contracts of $12,354 (7 year weighted average useful life), site locations of $67,018 (15 year weighted average useful life), and non-competition agreements of $2,792 (6 year weighted average useful life). The aggregate amortization expense related to the 2008 acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2008 was approximately $4,592.
     The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the Company gives effect to the 2008 and 2007 acquisitions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2007. These pro forma results do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred on such date or to project the Company’s results of operations for any future period.
                 
    2008   2007
Net revenues
  $ 1,213,650     $ 1,253,355  
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock
  $ (1,183 )   $ 33,446  
Net (loss) income per common share — basic
  $ (0.01 )   $ 0.35  
Net (loss) income per common share — diluted
  $ (0.01 )   $ 0.34  
(3) Noncash Financing and Investing Activities
     For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 there were no significant noncash financing or investing activities.
(4) Property, Plant and Equipment
     Major categories of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
                         
    Estimated Life              
    (Years)     2009     2008  
Land
        $ 298,295     $ 298,923  
Building and improvements
    10 – 39       110,294       109,547  
Advertising structures
    5 – 15       2,298,975       2,370,472  
Automotive and other equipment
    3 – 7       121,162       122,028  
 
                   
 
          $ 2,828,726     $ 2,900,970  
 
                   
(5) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
     The following is a summary of intangible assets at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
                                         
    Estimated     2009     2008  
    Life     Gross Carrying     Accumulated     Gross Carrying     Accumulated  
    (Years)     Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amortization  
Amortizable Intangible Assets:
                                       
Customer lists and contracts
    7 – 10     $ 465,634     $ 429,674     $ 465,126     $ 415,753  
Non-competition agreements
    3 – 15       63,419       59,810       63,407       58,380  
Site locations
    15       1,371,968       741,599       1,367,511       649,596  
Other
    5 – 15       13,608       13,045       13,608       12,159  
 
                               
 
          $ 1,914,629     $ 1,244,128     $ 1,909,652     $ 1,135,888  
Unamortizable Intangible Assets:
                                       
Goodwill
          $ 1,677,918     $ 253,635     $ 1,670,031     $ 253,635  

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     The changes in the gross carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:
         
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 1,670,031  
Goodwill acquired during the year
    3,288  
Purchase price adjustments and other
    4,599  
Impairment losses
     
 
     
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 1,677,918  
 
     
     Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $107,238. The following is a summary of the estimated amortization expense for future years:
         
Year ended December 31, 2010
  $ 104,467  
Year ended December 31, 2011
    101,988  
Year ended December 31, 2012
    98,746  
Year ended December 31, 2013
    96,039  
Year ended December 31, 2014
    82,084  
Thereafter
    187,177  
 
     
Total
  $ 670,501  
(6) Leases
     The Company is party to various operating leases for production facilities, vehicles and sites upon which advertising structures are built. The leases expire at various dates, and have varying options to renew and to cancel and may contain escalation provisions. The following is a summary of minimum annual rental payments required under those operating leases that have original or remaining lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2009:
         
2010
  $ 149,142  
2011
  $ 126,387  
2012
  $ 111,533  
2013
  $ 97,564  
2014
  $ 85,681  
Thereafter
  $ 615,209  
     Rental expense related to the Company’s operating leases was $213,549, $221,314 and $202,132 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
(7) Accrued Expenses
     The following is a summary of accrued expenses at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
                 
    2009     2008  
Payroll
  $ 11,568     $ 7,437  
Interest
    44,663       36,761  
Insurance benefits
    11,099       10,738  
Other
    28,286       23,153  
 
           
 
  $ 95,616     $ 78,089  
 
           
(8) Long-term Debt
     Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
                 
    2009     2008  
Bank Credit Agreement
  $ 1,092,763     $ 1,290,625  
2 7/8% Convertible Notes
    3,273       265,591  
7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
    386,765       387,278  
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
    400,000       400,000  
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series B
    205,077       203,584  
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series C
    264,062       262,568  
9 3/4% Senior Notes
    318,958        
Other notes with various rates and terms
    4,014       4,803  
 
           
 
    2,674,912       2,814,449  
Less current maturities
    (121,282 )     (58,751 )
 
           
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
  $ 2,553,630     $ 2,755,698  
 
           

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     Long-term debt matures as follows:
         
2010
  $ 121,282  
2011
  $ 199,449  
2012
  $ 420,816  
2013
  $ 434,247  
2014
  $ 629,022  
Later years
  $ 870,096  
     On December 23, 2002, Lamar Media Corp. completed an offering of $260,000 7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media.
     On June 12, 2003, Lamar Media Corp. issued $125,000 7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 as an add on to the $260,000 issued in December 2002. The issue price of the $125,000 7 1/4% Notes was 103.661% of the principal amount of the notes, which yields an effective rate of 6 5/8%.
     On June 16, 2003, the Company issued $287,500 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010. The notes are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of Lamar Advertising Company Class A common stock at any time before the close of business on the maturity date, unless previously repurchased, at a conversion rate of 19.4148 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustments in some circumstances.
     On August 16, 2005, Lamar Media Corp., issued $400,000 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of our existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010. The net proceeds from this issuance were used to reduce borrowings under Lamar Media’s bank credit facility.
     On August 17, 2006, Lamar Media Corp. issued $216,000 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015-Series B. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of our existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010. The net proceeds from this issuance were used to reduce borrowings under Lamar Media’s bank credit facility and repurchase the Company’s Class A common stock pursuant to its repurchase plan.
     On July 3, 2007, the Company accepted for exchange $287,209 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 (the “outstanding notes”), for newly issued 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010—Series B (the “new notes”) and cash pursuant to an exchange offer commenced on May 31, 2007. The settlement and exchange of new notes and payment of cash for the outstanding notes was made on July 3, 2007. Approximately 99% of the total outstanding notes were exchanged pursuant to the exchange offer, with approximately $291 aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes remaining outstanding immediately after the consummation of the exchange offer and the total debt outstanding unchanged.
     The purpose of the exchange offer was to exchange outstanding notes for new notes with certain different terms, including the type of consideration the Company may use to pay holders who convert their notes. Among their features, the new notes are convertible into Class A common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option, subject to certain conditions, while the outstanding notes are convertible solely into Class A common stock.
     On October 11, 2007, Lamar Media Corp. issued $275,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015—Series C. These notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will be subordinated to all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior debt, rank equally with all of Lamar Media’s existing and future senior subordinated debt and rank senior to all of the existing and any future subordinated debt of Lamar Media. These notes are redeemable at the company’s option anytime on or after August 15, 2010. A portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes was used to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under Lamar Media’s revolving bank credit facility.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     On March 23, 2009, the Company commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 — Series B. The tender offer expired on April 17, 2009. As a result of the tender offer, the Company accepted for payment $153,633 in principal amount of notes at a purchase price of 92% of the original principal amount of the notes, plus with respect to such convertible notes, all accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the payment date of April 20, 2009. Pursuant to the terms of the tender offer, convertible notes not tendered, or tendered and validly withdrawn, in the tender offer remain outstanding, and the terms and conditions governing the note, including the covenants and other provisions contained in the indentures governing the notes, remain unchanged.
     On July 14, 2009, the Company completed a tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its then outstanding 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 — Series B. Upon expiration of the tender offer, the Company accepted for payment $120,415 in principal amount of notes at a purchase price of 97.75% of the original principal amount of the notes, all accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including the payment date of July 15, 2009. Pursuant to the terms of the tender offer, convertible notes not tendered, or tendered and validly withdrawn, in the tender offer remain outstanding, and the terms and conditions governing the notes, including the covenants and other provisions contained in the indentures governing the notes, remain unchanged.
     In addition, on August 18, 2009, the Company accepted for payment $7,050 in principal amount of 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 — Series B at a purchase price of $7,046, which was 99.9% of the original amount of the notes and on October 6, 2009, the Company accepted for payment $3,000 in principal amount of 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010-Series B at a purchase price of $2,992, which was 99.75% of the original amount of the notes. Both of these prepayments were in privately negotiated transactions. There was $3,402 in principal amount of 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010 remaining as of December 31, 2009.
     On March 27, 2009, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $350,000 in aggregate principal amount ($314,927 gross proceeds) of 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2014. The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $307,489.
     The senior notes mature on April 1, 2014 and bear interest at a rate of 9 3/4% per annum, which is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2009. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The terms of the senior notes will, among other things, limit Lamar Media’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to (i) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; (ii) make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create certain liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) have the restricted subsidiaries make payments to Lamar Media; (vi) merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of Lamar Media’s or the restricted subsidiaries’ assets; and (vii) sell assets. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications.
     Lamar Media may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the senior notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 109.75% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including additional interest, if any), with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before April 1, 2012. At any time prior to April 1, 2014, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the senior notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s senior notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the senior notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date.
     The Company’s obligations with respect to its convertible notes are not guaranteed by the Company’s direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. Certain obligations of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Lamar Media Corp. are guaranteed by its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries.
Credit Facility
     On September 30, 2005, Lamar Media Corp. replaced its bank credit facility. The new bank facility is comprised of a $400,000 revolving bank credit facility and a $400,000 term facility. The bank credit facility also includes a $500,000 incremental facility, which permits Lamar Media to request that its lenders enter into a commitment to make additional term loans to it, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $500,000. On February 8, 2006, Lamar Media entered into a Series A Incremental Term Loan Agreement and obtained commitments from its lenders for a term loan of $37,000, which was funded on February 27, 2006. The available uncommitted incremental loan facility was thereby reduced to $463,000.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     On October 5, 2006, Lamar Media entered into a Series B Incremental Term Loan Agreement (the “Series B Incremental Loan Agreement”) and borrowed an additional $150,000 under the incremental portion of the bank credit facility. In conjunction with the Series B Incremental Loan Agreement, Lamar Media also entered into an amendment to the bank credit facility to restore the amount of the incremental loan facility to $500,000 (which under its old terms would have been reduced by the Series B Incremental Loan and had been reduced by the earlier Series A Incremental Loan described above). 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.
     On December 21, 2006, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Media, Lamar Transit Advertising Canada Ltd., entered into a Series C Incremental Term Loan Agreement and obtained commitments from its lenders for a term loan of $20,000. The available uncommitted incremental loan facility was thereby reduced to $480,000.
     On January 17, 2007, Lamar Media entered into a Series D Incremental Loan Agreement and obtained commitments from its lenders for a term loan of $7,000 which was funded on January 17, 2007.
     On March 28, 2007, Lamar Media Corp., entered into a Series E Incremental Loan Agreement with its lenders, in the aggregate amount of $325,000, which was funded on March 28, 2007. The Series E Incremental Loans will mature March 31, 2013. Also, on March 28, 2007, Lamar Media Corp. entered into a Series F Incremental Loan Agreement in the aggregate amount of $250,000 which was funded on March 28, 2007. The Series F Incremental Loans will mature on March 31, 2014.
     In conjunction with the Series E and F Term loans described above, the Company’s credit agreement dated as of September 30, 2005, was further amended by Amendment No. 3 dated March 28, 2007, to (i) permit the Series E and Series F Incremental Loans to be borrowed up to an aggregate of $575,000 and restore the amount available for additional incremental loans to $500,000 and (ii) delete the “Interest Coverage Ratio”, and the “Senior Coverage Ratio” financial covenants and the step-down to 5.75x from 6.0x in the “Total Debt Ratio” financial covenant.
     The remaining quarterly amortizations of the Term facilities are as follows:
         
    Term
March 31, 2010
  $ 26,962.5  
June 30, 2010 — March 31, 2011
  $ 30,087.5  
June 30, 2011 — September 30, 2011
  $ 33,212.5  
December 31, 2011 — March 31, 2012
  $ 102,287.5  
June 30, 2012 — September 30, 2012
  $ 136,662.5  
December 31, 2012 — March 31, 2013
  $ 44,562.5  
June 30, 2013 — December 31, 2013
  $ 812.5  
March 30, 2014
  $ 309,562.5  
     On April 2, 2009, Lamar Media Corp. entered into Amendment No. 4 (“Amendment No. 4”) to its existing senior credit facility dated as of September 30, 2005 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) together with its subsidiary guarantors, its subsidiary borrowers, the Company, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (“JPMorgan”) to, among other things: (i) reduce the amount of the revolving credit commitments available thereunder from $400,000 to $200,000; (ii) increase the interest rate margins for the revolving credit facility and term loans under the Credit Agreement; (iii) make certain changes to the provisions regarding mandatory prepayments of loans; (iv) amend certain financial covenants; and (v) cause Lamar Media and the subsidiary guarantors to pledge additional collateral of Lamar Media and its subsidiaries, including certain owned real estate properties, to secure loans made under the Credit Agreement. Amendment No. 4 and the changes it made to the Credit Agreement were effective as of April 6, 2009.
     Amendment No. 4 also reduced Lamar Media’s incremental loan facility from $500,000 to $300,000. The incremental facility permits Lamar Media to request that its lenders enter into commitments to make additional term loans, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $300,000. Lamar Media’s lenders have no obligation to make additional loans out of the $300,000 incremental facility, but may enter into such commitments at their sole discretion.
     As of December 31, 2009, there was $0 outstanding under the revolving facility. The revolving facility terminates September 30, 2012. Availability of the revolving facility is reduced by the amount of letters of credit outstanding. The company had $11,141 letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and $188,859 availability under its revolving facility. Revolving credit loans may be requested under the revolving credit facility at any time prior to maturity. The loans bear interest, at the Company’s option, at the LIBOR Rate or JPMorgan Chase Prime Rate plus applicable margins, such margins being set from time to time based on the Company’s ratio of debt to trailing twelve month EBITDA, as defined in the agreement. The terms of the indenture relating to Lamar Advertising’s outstanding notes, Lamar Media’s bank credit facility and the indenture relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict, among other things, the ability of Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media to:

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
    dispose of assets;
 
    incur or repay debt;
 
    create liens;
 
    make investments; and
 
    pay dividends.
     Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is also restricted under the terms of these agreements. Under Lamar Media’s credit facility the Company must maintain specified financial ratios and levels including:
    fixed charges ratios;
 
    senior debt ratios; and
 
    total debt ratios.
     Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media were in compliance with all of the terms of all of the indentures and the applicable bank credit agreement during the periods presented. Although the Company and Lamar Media are currently in compliance with all financial covenants, the Company’s operating results have been negatively impacted by the current economic downturn and there can be no assurance that a protracted recession will not further impact the Company’s results and, in turn, its ability to meet these requirements in the future. If Lamar Media fails to comply with its financial covenants, the lenders under the senior credit facility could accelerate all of the debt outstanding and could lead to a default under the indentures governing the Company’s and Lamar Media’s outstanding notes.
(9) Asset Retirement Obligation
     The Company’s asset retirement obligation includes the costs associated with the removal of its structures, resurfacing of the land and retirement cost, if applicable, related to the Company’s outdoor advertising portfolio. The following table reflects information related to our asset retirement obligations:
         
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 150,046  
Additions to asset retirement obligations
    6,178  
Accretion expense
    10,177  
Liabilities settled
    (5,678 )
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2008
    160,723  
Additions to asset retirement obligations
    166  
Accretion expense
    10,276  
Liabilities settled
    (10,905 )
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 160,260  
 
     
(10) Depreciation and Amortization
     The Company includes all categories of depreciation and amortization on a separate line in its Statement of Operations. The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statement of Operations are:
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Direct expenses
  $ 318,561     $ 312,028     $ 287,422  
General and administrative expenses
    6,528       7,325       8,212  
Corporate expenses
    11,636       12,301       11,245  
 
                 
 
  $ 336,725     $ 331,654     $ 306,879  
 
                 

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(11) Income Taxes
     In January 2007, we adopted Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, it provides guidance on the measurement, derecognition, classification and disclosure of tax positions, as well as the accounting for related interest and penalties, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are required to record the impact of adopting this guidance as an adjustment to the January 1, 2007 beginning balance of retained earnings rather than our consolidated statement of income.
     A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
         
Balance of December 31, 2008
  $ 868  
Plus: additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    35  
Plus: additions for tax positions of prior years
    16  
Less: reductions made for tax positions of prior years
     
Settlements
     
 
     
Balance of December 31, 2009
  $ 919  
 
     
     Included in the balance of unrecognized benefits as of December 31, 2009, are $919 of tax benefits that, if recognized in future periods, would impact our effective tax rate.
     To the extent penalties and interest would be assessed on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts have been accrued and included in our accrued current tax liability in our consolidated balance sheets. This is an accounting policy election we made that is a continuation of our historical policy, and we intend to continue to consistently apply the policy in the future. During 2009, we accrued $20 in gross interest and penalties.
     In addition, we are subject to both income taxes in the United States and in many of the 50 individual states. In addition, the Company is subject to income taxes in Canada and in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. We are open to examination in United States and in various individual states for tax years ended December 2005 through December 2008. We are also open to examination for the years ended 2002-2003 resulting from net operating losses generated and available for carry forward from those years.
     We do not anticipate a significant change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
     Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, consists of:
                         
    Current     Deferred     Total  
Year ended December 31, 2009:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ (20,062 )   $ (14,862 )   $ (34,924 )
State and local
    1,960       (2,939 )     (979 )
Foreign
    2,121       (2,319 )     (198 )
 
                 
 
  $ (15,981 )   $ (20,120 )   $ (36,101 )
 
                 
Year ended December 31, 2008:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ (12,845 )   $ 19,628     $ 6,783  
State and local
    893       2,092       2,985  
Foreign
    1,363       (1,782 )     (419 )
 
                 
 
  $ (10,589 )   $ 19,938     $ 9,349  
 
                 
Year ended December 31, 2007:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ 21,753     $ 2,240     $ 23,993  
State and local
    7,148       1,163       8,311  
Foreign
    2,153       (556 )     1,597  
 
                 
 
  $ 31,054     $ 2,847     $ 33,901  
 
                 
     As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the company had income taxes refundable of $35,731 and $21,393, respectively, included in other current assets on the balance sheet.

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     Income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35 percent for 2009 and 2008 and 2007, to income before income taxes as follows:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Computed expected tax (benefit) expense
  $ (32,948 )   $ 4,029     $ 26,209  
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
                       
Book expenses not deductible for tax purposes
    816       1,482       1,104  
Stock-based compensation
    (3,534 )     2,145       880  
Amortization of non-deductible goodwill
    6       25       30  
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
    (636 )     1,346       6,174  
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries
    828       821       465  
Net operating loss valuation allowance
    (9 )     594       (772 )
Other differences, net
    (624 )     (1,093 )     (189 )
 
                 
 
  $ (36,101 )   $ 9,349     $ 33,901  
 
                 
     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented below:
                 
    2009     2008  
Current deferred tax assets:
               
Receivables, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 6,298     $ 6,124  
Accrued liabilities not deducted for tax purposes
    2,890       2,401  
Tax credits
    3,912        
Other
    423       424  
 
           
Net current deferred tax asset
  $ 13,523     $ 8,949  
 
           
                 
    2009     2008  
 
               
Non-current deferred tax liabilities:
               
Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation
  $ (37,676 )   $ (33,135 )
Intangibles, due to differences in amortizable lives
    (267,199 )     (251,085 )
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries
    (2,940 )     (2,112 )
Debt, due to 2 7/8% convertible notes discount
    (41 )     (8,435 )
Other, net
          (134 )
Investments in partnerships
    (973 )     (127 )
 
           
Net non-current tax liabilities
    (308,829 )     (295,028 )
 
           
 
               
Non-current deferred tax assets:
               
Plant and equipment, due to basis differences on acquisitions and costs capitalized for tax purposes
    19,074       21,107  
Investment in affiliates and plant and equipment, due to gains recognized for tax purposes and deferred for financial reporting purposes
    933       933  
Accrued liabilities not deducted for tax purposes
    26,438       13,540  
Net operating loss carry forward
    94,140       50,958  
Asset retirement obligation
    51,857       49,893  
Tax credits
    1,516       25,596  
Interest rate swap agreement
          2,403  
Other, net
    87        
Charitable contribution carry forward
    333       218  
 
           
Total Non-current deferred tax assets
    194,378       164,648  
Less: valuation allowance
    (1,679 )     (1,692 )
 
           
Net non-current deferred tax assets
    192,699       162,956  
 
           
Net non-current deferred tax liability
  $ (116,130 )   $ (132,072 )
 
           
     During 2009, we generated $107,713 of U.S. net operating losses. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $216,741 of U.S. net operating loss carry forwards remaining to offset future taxable income. Of this amount, $43,201 is subject to an IRC §382 limitation of $11,793 per year. These carry forwards expire between 2022 through 2029. During 2009, we generated $95,797 of US alternative minimum tax net operating losses, which will be used to carry back to the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 tax years. In addition, we have $5,071 of various credits available to offset future U.S. federal income tax.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     As of December 31, 2009 we have approximately $328,832 state net operating losses before valuation allowances. These state net operating losses are available to reduce future taxable income and expire at various times and amounts. Management has determined that a valuation allowance related to state net operating loss carry forwards is necessary. The valuation allowance for these deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $1,679, $1,692, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 was a (decrease) increase of $(13), $594 and $(772), respectively.
     In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those jurisdictions during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the level of historical federal taxable income and projections for future federal taxable income over the periods for which the U.S. deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances at December 31, 2009. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are reduced.
     We have a deferred tax liability of approximately $2,940 for the undistributed earnings of our foreign operations that arose in 2009 and prior years. We have recognized current year tax expense of approximately $828 for the change in this deferred tax liability. As of December 31, 2009, the undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries were approximately $8,400.
(12) Related Party Transactions
     Affiliates, as used within these statements, are persons or entities that are affiliated with Lamar Advertising Company or its subsidiaries through common ownership and directorate control.
     Prior to 1996, the Company entered into various related party transactions for the purchase and sale of advertising structures whereby any resulting gains were deferred at that date. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the deferred gains related to these transactions were $933 and are included in deferred income on the balance sheets. No gains related to these transactions have been realized in the Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
     In addition, the Company had receivables from employees of $619 and $142 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These receivables are primarily relocation loans for employees. The Company does not have any receivables from its current executive officers.
     Effective July 1, 1996, the Lamar Texas Limited Partnership, one of the Company’s subsidiaries, and Reilly Consulting Company, L.L.C., which Kevin P. Reilly, Sr. controls, entered into a consulting agreement which was amended January 1, 2004. This consulting agreement as amended has a term through December 31, 2008 with automatic renewals for successive one year periods after that date unless either party provides written termination to the other. The amended agreement provides for an annual consulting fee of $190 for the five year period commencing on January 1, 2004 and an annual consulting fee of $150 for any subsequent one year renewal term. As of December 31, 2009, this consulting agreement was renewed for one additional year at the previously agreed fee of $150 per year. The agreement also contains a non-disclosure provision and a non-competition restriction which extends for two years beyond the termination agreement.
     The Company also had a lease arrangement with Deanna Enterprises, LLC (formerly Reilly Enterprises, LLC), which Kevin P. Reilly Sr. controls, for the use of an airplane. The Company paid a monthly fee plus expenses which entitled the Company to 6.67 hours of flight time, with any unused portion carried over into the next month. This agreement was amended in October 2004, whereby the Company would pay $100 per year for 125 guaranteed flight hours. This agreement was cancelled as of December 31, 2008. Total fees paid under these arrangements for fiscal 2008 and 2007 were approximately $59 and $102, respectively.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(13) Stockholders’ Equity
     On July 16, 1999, the Board of Directors designated 5,720 shares of the 1,000,000 shares of previously undesignated preferred stock, par value $.001, as Series AA preferred stock. The Class A preferred stock, par value $638, was exchanged for the new Series AA preferred stock and no shares of Class A preferred stock are currently outstanding. The new Series AA preferred stock and the Class A preferred stock rank senior to the Class A common stock and Class B common stock with respect to dividends and upon liquidation. Holders of Series AA preferred stock and Class A preferred stock are entitled to receive, on a pari passu basis, dividends at the rate of $15.95 per share per quarter when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors. The Series AA preferred stock and the Class A preferred stock are also entitled to receive, on a pari passu basis, $638 plus a further amount equal to any dividend accrued and unpaid to the date of distribution before any payments are made or assets distributed to the Class A common stock or Class B stock upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. The liquidation value of the outstanding Series AA preferred stock at December 31, 2009 was $3,649. The Series AA preferred stock and the Class A preferred stock are identical, except that the Series AA preferred stock is entitled to one vote per share and the Class A preferred stock is not entitled to vote.
     All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, following any required distribution to the holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to share pro rata in any balance of the corporate assets available for distribution to them. The Company may pay dividends if, when and as declared by the Board of Directors from funds legally available therefore, subject to the restrictions set forth in the Company’s existing indentures and the bank credit facility. Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the Company’s Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such purpose. No dividend may be declared or paid in cash or property on any share of either class of common stock unless simultaneously the same dividend is declared or paid on each share of the other class of common stock, provided that, in the event of stock dividends, holders of a specific class of common stock shall be entitled to receive only additional shares of such class.
     The rights of the Class A and Class B common stock are equal in all respects, except holders of Class B common stock have ten votes per share on all matters in which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote and holders of Class A common stock have one vote per share on such matters. The Class B common stock will convert automatically into Class A common stock upon the sale or transfer to persons other than permitted transferees (as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended).
     In August 2006, Lamar announced a repurchase plan program of up to $250,000 of the Company’s Class A common stock, which was completed in July 2007. In February 2007, the Company’s board of directors approved an additional repurchase program of up to $500,000 of the Company’s Class A common stock, which expired on February 22, 2009. During the twelve months ended, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company purchased 0 and 2,629,007 shares, respectively of its Class A common stock under this plan for an aggregate purchase price of $0 and $93,390, respectively. These share repurchases were made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of the shares repurchased were determined by Lamar’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. All repurchased shares are available for future use for general corporate and other purposes.
     The Company’s board of directors declared a special dividend of $3.25 per share of Common Stock. The dividend of $318,303 in aggregate amount was paid on March 30, 2007 to stockholders of record on March 22, 2007. As of March 22, 2007, Lamar had 82,541,461 shares of Class A Common Stock and 15,397,865 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding. The Class B Common Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one-basis at the option of its holder.
(14) Stock Compensation Plans
     Equity Incentive Plan. Lamar’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan has reserved 13 million shares of common stock for issuance to directors and employees, including options granted and common stock reserved for issuance under its performance-based incentive program. Options granted under the plan expire ten years from the grant date with vesting terms ranging from three to five years which primarily includes 1) options that vest in one-fifth increments beginning on the grant date and continuing on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and 2) options that cliff-vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. All grants are made at fair market value based on the closing price of our Class A common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     We use a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model incorporates various highly subjective assumptions, including expected term and expected volatility. We have reviewed our historical pattern of option exercises and have determined that meaningful differences in option exercise activity existed among vesting schedules. Therefore, for all stock options granted after January 1, 2006, we have categorized these awards into two groups of vesting 1) 5-year cliff vest and 2) 4-year graded vest, for valuation purposes. We have determined there were no meaningful differences in employee activity under our ESPP due to the nature of the plan.
     We estimate the expected term of options granted using an implied life derived from the results of a hypothetical mid-point settlement scenario, which incorporates our historical exercise, expiration and post-vesting employment termination patterns, while accommodating for partial life cycle effects. We believe these estimates will approximate future behavior.
     We estimate the expected volatility of our Class A common stock at the grant date using a blend of 75% historical volatility of our Class A common stock and 25% implied volatility of publicly traded options with maturities greater than six months on our Class A common stock as of the option grant date. Our decision to use a blend of historical and implied volatility was based upon the volume of actively traded options on our common stock and our belief that historical volatility alone may not be completely representative of future stock price trends.
     Our risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the Federal Reserve nominal rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities similar to those of the expected term of the award being valued. We assumed an expected dividend yield of zero since the Company has historically not paid dividends on Class A common stock, except for special dividends in 2007.
     We estimate option forfeitures at the time of grant and periodically revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate based on our historical forfeiture data.
     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used:
                                 
    Dividend   Expected   Risk Free   Expected
Grant Year   Yield   Volatility   Interest Rate   Lives
2009
    0 %     55 %     2 %     5  
2008
    0 %     28 %     3 %     7  
2007
    0 %     30 %     5 %     5  
     Information regarding the 1996 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2009 is as follows:
                         
            Weighted     Weighted  
            Average     Average  
            Exercise     Contractual  
    Shares     Price     Life  
Outstanding, beginning of year
    3,386,746     $ 38.12          
Granted
    2,879,138       17.34          
Exercised
    (111,843 )     17.32          
Canceled
    (2,934,702 )     37.89          
 
                   
Outstanding, end of year
    3,219,339     $ 20.47       9.07  
 
                 
Exercisable at end of year
    712,078     $ 24.59       8.23  
 
                 
     At December 31, 2009 there was $20,748 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.32 years.
     On July 2, 2009, we completed a tender offer for 250 eligible participants to exchange some or all of certain outstanding options (the “Eligible Options”) for new options to be issued under the Company’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. We have accepted for cancellation Eligible Options to purchase an aggregate of 2,630,474 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, representing 86.2% of the total number of shares of Class A common stock underlying all Eligible Options. In exchange for the Eligible Options surrendered in the Offer, we issued new options to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,030,819 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock under the 1996 Plan. Each new option has an exercise price per share of $15.67, the closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on July 2, 2009. Eligible Options not tendered for exchange remain outstanding according to their original terms and are subject to the 1996 Plan. An incremental cost of $1,923 will be recognized over the 5 year vesting term of the new options using the bifurcation method.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     The exchange of Eligible Options has been accounted for as a modification. In calculating the incremental compensation cost of a modification, the fair value of the modified award was compared to the fair value of the original award measured immediately before its terms and conditions were modified. The Company elected to use a binomial lattice model solely to determine the incremental compensation cost associated with the underwater options because it more appropriately captures exercise and cancellation patterns needed in the valuation. There were no significant changes in assumptions utilized in the determination of the incremental compensation cost of the modification.
     Shares available for future stock option and restricted share grants to employees and directors under existing plans were 2,603,978 at December 31, 2009. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of December 31, 2009 was $38,001, and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable was $6,418. Total intrinsic value of options exercised was $1,095 for the year ended December 31, 2009.
     The following table summarizes our non-vested stock option activity for year ended December 31, 2009:
                 
            Weighted Average
            Grant Date
    Shares   Fair Value
Non-vested stock options at the beginning of the period
    1,014,955      $ 17.09   
Granted
    2,879,138        8.62   
Vested
    868,939        11.66   
Canceled
    539,169        16.79   
 
               
Non-vested stock options at the end of the period
    2,485,985      9.31   
 
               
     Stock Purchase Plan. On May 25, 2000, the stockholders approved the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan whereby 500,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock were reserved for issuance under the Plan. Under this plan, eligible employees could purchase stock at 85% of the fair market value of a share on the offering commencement date or the respective purchase date whichever was lower. Purchases were limited to ten percent of an employee’s total compensation. The initial offering under the Plan commenced on April 1, 2000 with a single purchase date on June 30, 2000. Subsequent offerings commenced each year on July 1 with a termination date of December 31 and purchase dates on September 30 and December 31; and on January 1 with a termination date on June 30 and purchase dates on March 31 and June 30. In accordance with the Plan, the number of shares available for issuance under the plan was increased at the beginning of each fiscal year by the lesser of 500,000 shares or one tenth of 1% of the total of shares outstanding or a lessor amount determined by the board of directors.
     Lamar Advertising’s 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2000 ESPP”) reserved 924,000 shares of common stock for issuance to employees. The 2000 ESPP was terminated following the issuance of all shares that were subject to the offer that commenced under the 2000 ESPP on January 1, 2009 and ended June 30, 2009. In 2009, we adopted a new employee stock purchase plan. Our 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors in February 2009 and approved by our shareholders on May 28, 2009. The terms of the 2009 ESPP are substantially the same as the 2000 ESPP. The following is a summary of ESPP share activity for the year ended December 31, 2009:
         
    Shares
2000 ESPP Plan Shares available for future purchases, January 1, 2009
    238,087  
Purchases under 2000 ESPP Plan
    (149,933 )
Share reserved for issuance during 2009
    500,000  
 
       
Shares available as of June 30, 2009 & transferred to the 2009 ESPP Plan
    588,154  
Purchases under 2009 ESPP plan
    (107,296 )
 
       
Total shares available at December 31, 2009 under the 2009 ESPP Plan
    480,858  
 
       
     Performance-based compensation. Unrestricted shares of our Class A common stock may be awarded to key officers and employees under our 1996 Plan based on certain Company performance measures for fiscal 2009. The number of shares to be issued; if any, will be dependent on the level of achievement of these performance measures as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee based on our 2009 results and were issued in the first quarter of 2010. The shares subject to these awards can range from a minimum of 0% to a maximum of 100% of the target number of shares depending on the level at which the goals are attained. Based on the Company’s performance measures achieved through December 31, 2009, the Company has accrued $1,169 as compensation expense related to these agreements.

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Table of Contents

LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(15) Benefit Plans
     The Company sponsors a partially self-insured group health insurance program. The Company is obligated to pay all claims under the program, which are in excess of premiums, up to program limits. The Company is also self-insured with respect to its income disability benefits and against casualty losses on advertising structures. Amounts for expected losses, including a provision for losses incurred but not reported, is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2009, the Company maintained $9,357 in letters of credit with a bank to meet requirements of the Company’s worker’s compensation and general liability insurance carrier.
Savings and Profit Sharing Plan
     The Company sponsors The Lamar Corporation Savings and Profit Sharing Plan covering eligible employees who have completed one year of service and are at least 21 years of age. The Company has the option to match 50% of employees’ contributions up to 5% of eligible compensation. Employees can contribute up to 100% of compensation. Full vesting on the Company’s matched contributions occurs after three years for contributions made after January 1, 2002. Annually, at the Company’s discretion, an additional profit sharing contribution may be made on behalf of each eligible employee. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company did not match contributions. The Company matched contributions of $3,237 and $3,124 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Deferred Compensation Plan
     The Company sponsors a Deferred Compensation Plan for the benefit of certain of its board-elected officers who meet specific age and years of service and other criteria. Officers that have attained the age of 30 and have a minimum of 10 years of to the Company service and satisfying additional eligibility guidelines are eligible for annual contributions to the Plan generally ranging from $3 to $8, depending on the employee’s length of service. The Company’s contributions to the Plan are maintained in a rabbi trust and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the Plan are reflected in the balance sheet of the Company in other assets and other liabilities. Upon termination, death or disability, participating employees are eligible to receive an amount equal to the fair market value of the assets in the employee’s deferred compensation account. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company did not contribute to the Plan. The Company contributed $861 to the Plan during the year ended December 31, 2007.
     On December 8, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Lamar Deferred Compensation Plan in order to (1) to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to deferred compensation and (2) to reflect changes in the administration of the Plan. The Company’s Board of Directors also approved the adoption of a grantor trust pursuant to which amounts may be set aside, but remain subject to claims of the Company’s creditors, for payments of liabilities under the new plan, including amounts contributed under the old plan.
(16) Commitment and Contingencies
     The Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
(17) Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries
     Separate financial statements of each of the Company’s direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries that have guaranteed Lamar Media’s obligations with respect to its publicly issued notes (collectively, the “Guarantors”) are not included herein because the Company has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several and the only subsidiaries that are not a guarantors are in the aggregate minor.

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is restricted under both the terms of the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes and by the terms of its senior credit facility. As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Lamar Media was permitted under the terms of its outstanding notes (other than the senior notes) to make transfers to Lamar Advertising in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances in amounts up to $1,156,267 and $970,420, respectively. Under its senior credit facility, however, if the total holdings debt ratio (as defined in the senior credit facility) is greater than 5.5 to 1, or if under the senior notes Lamar Media’s senior leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture for the senior notes) is greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1, transfers to Lamar Advertising are subject to additional restrictions. As of December 31, 2009, the total holdings debt ratio was greater than 5.5 to 1 and, therefore, transfers to Lamar Advertising were restricted to the following: (a) payments to allow Lamar Advertising to pay dividends on its outstanding Series AA Preferred Stock and (b) payments in respect of “Qualified Holdings Obligations” (as defined in the senior credit facility), consisting of interest on convertible notes and certain fees, costs and expenses, incurred from time to time by Lamar Advertising on behalf of Lamar Media and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2009, Lamar Media’s senior leverage ratio was greater than 3.0 to 1 and, therefore, transfers to Lamar Advertising were restricted to a series of baskets specified in the Indenture, including payments of Lamar Media’s operating expenses in an aggregate amount in any fiscal year not to exceed 5% of the total operating expenses of Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries and other restricted payments not in excess of $500 in any fiscal year of Lamar Media.
(18) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
     At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable, borrowings and derivative contracts. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Investments and derivative contracts are reported at fair values. Fair values for investments held at cost are not readily available, but are estimated to approximate fair value. The following table provides fair value measurement information for liabilities reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009:
                                         
    As of December 31, 2009
                    Fair Value Measurements Using:
                    Quoted   Significant    
                    Prices in   Other    
                    Active   Observable   Significant
    Carrying   Total Fair   Markets   Inputs   Unobservable
    Amount   Value   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   Inputs (Level 3)
Long-term debt (including current maturities)
  $ 2,674,912     $ 2,730,906     $ 2,730,906          
     Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (formerly SFAS 157) established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. As presented in the table above, this hierarchy consists of three broad levels. Level 1 inputs on the hierarchy consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and have the highest priority. Level 2 inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, and Level 3 inputs have the lowest priority and include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. When available, we measure fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value. We currently do not use Level 2 or Level 3 inputs to measure fair value.
     The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the assets and liabilities in the table above.
Level 1 Fair Value Measurements
     Long-term debt — The Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes are actively traded in an established market. The fair values of these debt instruments are based on quotes obtained through financial information services and/or major financial institutions.

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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(19) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
                                 
    Year 2009 Quarters
    March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
Net revenues
  $ 247,248     $ 274,736     $ 271,766     $ 262,315  
Net revenues less direct advertising expenses
  $ 146,267     $ 175,292     $ 174,136     $ 162,645  
Net loss applicable to common stock
  $ (21,829 )   $ (11,928 )   $ (4,872 )   $ (19,774 )
Net loss per common share basic
  $ (0.24 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.22 )
Net loss per common share — diluted
  $ (0.24 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.22 )
                                 
    Year 2008 Quarters
    March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
Net revenues
  $ 282,776     $ 323,819     $ 312,516     $ 279,308  
Net revenues less direct advertising expenses
  $ 177,551     $ 213,317     $ 198,541     $ 171,350  
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock
  $ (3,567 )   $ 12,305     $ 1,739     $ (8,680 )
Net (loss) income per common share basic
  $ (0.04 )   $ 0.13     $ 0.02     $ (0.09 )
Net (loss) income per common share — diluted
  $ (0.04 )   $ 0.13     $ 0.02     $ (0.09 )
(20) Subsequent Event
     On February 12, 2010, the Company paid in full the remaining Series C Incremental Term Loan agreement in the amount of $17,250 using available cash on hand.

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SCHEDULE 2
Lamar Advertising Company
And Subsidiaries
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)
                                 
    Balance at   Charged to           Balance at
    Beginning   Costs and           End of
    of Period   Expenses   Deductions   Period
Year ended December 31, 2009 Deducted in balance sheet from trade accounts receivable:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 10,000       12,663       13,113     $ 9,550  
Deducted in balance sheet from intangible assets:
                               
Amortization of intangible assets
  $ 1,389,523       108,292       52     $ 1,497,763  
Year ended December 31, 2008 Deducted in balance sheet from trade accounts receivable:
  $ 6,740       14,365       11,105     $ 10,000  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
                               
Deducted in balance sheet from intangible assets:
  $ 1,282,542       106,981           $ 1,389,523  
Amortization of intangible assets
                               
Year ended December 31, 2007 Deducted in balance sheet from trade accounts receivable:
  $ 6,400       7,166       6,826     $ 6,740  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
                               
Deducted in balance sheet from intangible assets:
  $ 1,173,293       109,249           $ 1,282,542  
Amortization of intangible assets
                               

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
     
  60
  61
  62
  63
  64
  65
  66
  67-71
  72

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     The management of Lamar Media Corp. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.
     Lamar Media’s management assessed the effectiveness of Lamar Media’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal-Control Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, Lamar Media’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, Lamar Media’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. The effectiveness of Lamar Media’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8 to this Annual Report.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Lamar Media Corp.:
     We have audited Lamar Media Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Lamar Media Corp.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
     We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
     A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
     Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
     In our opinion, Lamar Media Corp. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
     We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Lamar Media Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder’s equity and comprehensive income (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and the financial statement schedule, and our report dated February 26, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and schedule.
         
     
  /s/ KPMG LLP    
  KPMG LLP   
     
 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 26, 2010

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Lamar Media Corp.:
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lamar Media Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder’s equity and comprehensive income (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule. 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 Media Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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.
     We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Lamar Media Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 26, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
     
  /s/ KPMG LLP    
  KPMG LLP   
     
 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 26, 2010

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
    2009     2008  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 105,306     $ 14,139  
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,550 and $10,000 in 2009 and 2008
    142,518       155,043  
Prepaid expenses
    40,588       44,377  
Deferred income tax assets (note 6)
    13,523       8,948  
Other current assets
    52,251       39,183  
 
           
Total current assets
    354,186       261,690  
 
           
 
               
Property, plant and equipment
    2,828,726       2,900,970  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,421,815 )     (1,305,937 )
 
           
Net property, plant and equipment
    1,406,911       1,595,033  
 
           
 
               
Goodwill (note 3)
    1,414,131       1,406,254  
Intangible assets, net (note 3)
    669,938       773,140  
Deferred financing costs net of accumulated amortization of $28,592 and $22,817 as of 2009 and 2008 respectively
    30,660       18,538  
Other assets
    36,012       43,412  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 3,911,838     $ 4,098,067  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Trade accounts payable
  $ 10,678     $ 15,108  
Current maturities of long-term debt (note 5)
    118,009       58,751  
Accrued expenses (note 4)
    84,877       67,351  
Deferred income
    36,131       30,612  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    249,695       171,822  
 
               
Long-term debt (note 5)
    2,553,630       2,777,607  
Deferred income tax liabilities (note 6)
    148,765       158,657  
Asset retirement obligation
    160,260       160,723  
Other liabilities
    18,016       15,354  
 
           
Total liabilities
    3,130,366       3,284,163  
 
           
 
               
Stockholder’s equity:
               
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 3,000 shares; 100 shares issued and outstanding at 2009 and 2008
           
Additional paid-in-capital
    2,534,783       2,517,481  
Accumulated comprehensive income (deficit)
    5,248       (1,066 )
Accumulated deficit
    (1,758,559 )     (1,702,511 )
 
           
Stockholder’s equity
    781,472       813,904  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity
  $ 3,911,838     $ 4,098,067  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Net revenues
  $ 1,056,065     $ 1,198,419     $ 1,209,555  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating expenses (income):
                       
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
    397,725       437,660       410,762  
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
    186,733       207,321       210,793  
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
    42,265       49,398       59,040  
Depreciation and amortization
    336,725       331,654       306,879  
Gain on disposition of assets
    (5,424 )     (7,363 )     (3,914 )
 
                 
 
    958,024       1,018,670       983,560  
 
                 
 
                       
Operating income
    98,041       179,749       225,995  
 
                       
Other expense (income):
                       
Gain on disposition of investment
    (1,445 )     (1,814 )     (15,448 )
Interest income
    (462 )     (1,202 )     (2,598 )
Interest expense
    191,917       157,918       161,207  
 
                 
 
    190,010       154,902       143,161  
 
                 
 
                       
(Loss) income before income tax expense
    (91,969 )     24,847       82,834  
 
                       
Income tax (benefit) expense (note 6)
    (36,146 )     14,487       37,283  
 
                 
 
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (55,823 )   $ 10,360     $ 45,551  
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity and Comprehensive Income (Deficit)
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
                                         
                    Accumulated              
            Additional     Comprehensive              
    Common     Paid-In     Income     Accumulated        
    Stock     Capital     (Deficit)     Deficit     Total  
Balance, December 31, 2006
  $     $ 2,444,485     $ 2,253     $ (956,224 )   $ 1,490,514  
Contribution from parent
          48,395                   48,395  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Foreign currency translations
                6,747             6,747  
Change in unrealized loss of hedging transaction
                (179 )           (179 )
Net income
                      45,551       45,551  
 
                                     
Net comprehensive income
                            52,119  
Dividend to parent
                      (708,808 )     (708,808 )
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2007
  $     $ 2,492,880     $ 8,821     $ (1,619,481 )   $ 882,220  
Contribution from parent
          24,601                   24,601  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Foreign currency translations
                (6,252 )           (6,252 )
Change in unrealized loss of hedging transaction, net of tax $2,398
                (3,635 )           (3,635 )
Net income
                      10,360       10,360  
 
                                     
Net comprehensive income
                            473  
Dividend to parent
                      (93,390 )     (93,390 )
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2008
  $     $ 2,517,481     $ (1,066 )   $ (1,702,511 )   $ 813,904  
Contribution from parent
          17,302                   17,302  
Comprehensive income:
                                       
Foreign currency translations
                2,500             2,500  
Change in unrealized loss of hedging transaction, net of tax $2,398
                3,814             3,814  
Net loss
                      (55,823 )     (55,823 )
 
                                     
Net comprehensive loss
                            (49,509 )
Dividend to parent
                      (225 )     (225 )
 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2009
  $     $ 2,534,783     $ 5,248     $ (1,758,559 )   $ 781,472  
 
                             
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (55,823 )   $ 10,360     $ 45,551  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization
    336,725       331,654       306,879  
Non-cash compensation
    12,462       9,005       27,488  
Amortization included in interest expense
    14,312       3,703       3,347  
Gain on disposition of assets and investments
    (6,869 )     (9,177 )     (19,362 )
Deferred income tax expenses (benefit)
    (20,602 )     25,781       5,650  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    12,663       14,365       7,166  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
(Increase) decrease in:
                       
Receivables
    (2,083 )     (11,013 )     (10,859 )
Prepaid expenses
    5,959       599       (4,159 )
Other assets
    (14,628 )     (17,170 )     (11,221 )
Increase (decrease) in:
                       
Trade accounts payable
    1,508       (4,452 )     5,367  
Accrued expenses
    9,677       60       (10,638 )
Other liabilities
    (738 )     (18,824 )     (19,349 )
 
                 
Cash flows provided by operating activities
    292,563       334,891       325,860  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (38,815 )     (198,070 )     (220,534 )
Acquisitions
    (4,457 )     (249,951 )     (153,593 )
Decrease in notes receivable
    168       267       9,420  
Proceeds from disposition of assets and investments
    14,065       10,335       23,626  
 
                 
Cash flows used in investing activities
    (29,039 )     (437,419 )     (341,081 )
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Net payments on credit agreement
    (198,701 )     (29,412 )     (107,585 )
Payment on mirror note
    (287,500 )            
Debt issuance costs
    (19,919 )     (168 )     (7,003 )
Net proceeds from note offerings and new notes payable
    314,927       140,000       842,887  
Dividends to parent
    (225 )     (93,390 )     (708,808 )
Contributions from parent
    17,302       24,601       48,395  
 
                 
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities
    (174,116 )     41,631       67,886  
 
                 
 
                       
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents
    1,759       (1,012 )     11,587  
 
                 
 
                       
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    91,167       (61,909 )     64,252  
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    14,139       76,048       11,796  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 105,306     $ 14,139     $ 76,048  
 
                 
 
                       
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid for interest
  $ 169,703     $ 149,417     $ 157,549  
 
                 
Cash paid for state and federal income taxes
  $ 3,314     $ 3,933     $ 34,249  
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(1) Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Nature of Business
     Lamar Media Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company. Lamar Media Corp. is engaged in the outdoor advertising business operating approximately 150,000 outdoor advertising displays in 44 states. Lamar Media’s operating strategy is to be the leading provider of outdoor advertising services in the markets it serves.
     In addition, Lamar Media operates a logo sign business in 21 states throughout the United States as well as the province of Ontario, Canada. Logo signs are erected pursuant to state-awarded service contracts on public rights-of-way near highway exits and deliver brand name information on available gas, food, lodging and camping services. Included in the Company’s logo sign business are tourism signing contracts. The Company provides transit advertising on bus shelters, benches and buses in the markets it serves.
     Certain footnotes are not provided for the accompanying financial statements as the information in notes 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 and portions of notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Advertising Company included elsewhere in this Annual Report are substantially equivalent to that required for the consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media Corp. Earnings per share data is not provided for the operating results of Lamar Media Corp. as it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising Company.
(b) Principles of Consolidation
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Lamar Media Corp., its wholly owned subsidiaries, The Lamar Company, LLC, Lamar Central Outdoor, Inc., Lamar Oklahoma Holding Co., Inc., Lamar Advertising Southwest, Inc., Lamar DOA Tennessee Holdings, Inc., and Interstate Logos, LLC. and their majority-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
(2) Non-cash Financing and Investing Activities
     For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 there were no significant non-cash financing or investing activities.
(3) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
     The following is a summary of intangible assets at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
                                         
    Estimated     2009     2008  
    Life     Gross Carrying     Accumulated     Gross Carrying     Accumulated  
    (Years)     Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amortization  
Amortizable Intangible Assets:
                                       
Customer lists and contracts
    7—10     $ 465,634     $ 429,674     $ 465,126     $ 415,753  
Non-competition agreement
    3—15       63,419       59,810       63,407       58,380  
Site locations
    15       1,371,968       741,599       1,367,511       649,597  
Other
    5—15       13,063       13,063       13,001       12,175  
 
                               
 
          $ 1,914,084     $ 1,244,146     $ 1,909,045     $ 1,135,905  
Unamortizable Intangible Assets:
                                       
Goodwill
          $ 1,666,897     $ 252,766     $ 1,659,020     $ 252,766  
     The changes in the gross carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:
         
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 1,659,020  
Goodwill acquired during the year
    3,288  
Purchase price adjustments and other
    4,589  
Impairment losses
     
 
     
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 1,666,897  
 
     

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(4) Accrued Expenses
     The following is a summary of accrued expenses at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
                 
    2009     2008  
Payroll
  $ 11,568     $ 7,437  
Interest
    44,663       36,761  
Other
    28,646       23,153  
 
           
 
  $ 84,877     $ 67,351  
 
           
(5) Long-term Debt
     Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008:
                 
    2009     2008  
7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
  $ 386,765     $ 387,278  
Mirror note to parent
          287,500  
Bank Credit Agreement
    1,092,763       1,290,625  
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
    400,000       400,000  
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series B
    205,077       203,584  
6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes — Series C
    264,062       262,568  
9 3/4% Senior Notes
    318,958        
Other notes with various rates and terms
    4,014       4,803  
 
           
 
    2,671,639       2,836,358  
Less current maturities
    (118,009 )     (58,751 )
 
           
Long-term debt excluding current maturities
  $ 2,553,630     $ 2,777,607  
 
           
     Long-term debt matures as follows:
         
2010
  $ 118,009  
2011
  $ 199,449  
2012
  $ 420,816  
2013
  $ 434,247  
2014
  $ 629,022  
Later years
  $ 870,096  
(6) Income Taxes
     In January 2007, we adopted Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (formerly FIN 48). Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, it provides guidance on the measurement, derecognition, classification and disclosure of tax positions, as well as the accounting for related interest and penalties, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are required to record the impact of adopting this guidance as an adjustment to the January 1, 2007 beginning balance of retained earnings rather than our consolidated statement of income.
     A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
         
Balance of December 31, 2008
  $ 868  
Plus: additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    35  
Plus: additions for tax positions of prior years
    16  
Less: reductions made for tax positions of prior years
     
Settlements
     
 
     
Balance of December 31, 2009
  $ 919  
 
     

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     Included in the balance of unrecognized benefits as of December 31, 2009 is $919, benefits that, if recognized in future periods, would impact our effective tax rate.
     To the extent penalties and interest would be assessed on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts have been accrued and included in our accrued current tax liability in our consolidated balance sheets. This is an accounting policy election we made that is a continuation of our historical policy and we intend to continue to consistently apply the policy in the future. During 2009, we accrued $20, in gross interest and penalties.
     In addition, we are subject to both income taxes in the United States and in many of the 50 individual states. In addition, the Company is subject to income taxes in Canada and in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. We are open to examination in United States and in various individual states for tax years ended December 2005 through December 2008. We are also open to examination for the years ended 2002-2003 resulting from net operating losses generated and available for carry forward from those years.
     We do not anticipate a significant change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
     As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Lamar Media had income taxes receivable of $36,167 and $22,109 included in other current assets, respectively.
     Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, consists of:
                         
    Current     Deferred     Total  
Year ended December 31, 2009:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ (19,691 )   $ (15,292 )   $ (34,983 )
State and local
    2,026       (2,991 )     (965 )
Foreign
    2,121       (2,319 )     (198 )
 
                 
 
  $ (15,544 )   $ (20,602 )   $ (36,146 )
 
                 
 
                       
Year ended December 31, 2008:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ (13,560 )   $ 25,425     $ 11,865  
State and local
    903       2,138       3,041  
Foreign
    1,363       (1,782 )     (419 )
 
                 
 
  $ (11,294 )   $ 25,781     $ 14,487  
 
                 
 
                       
Year ended December 31, 2007:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ 22,329     $ 5,056     $ 27,385  
State and local
    7,151       1,150       8,301  
Foreign
    2,153       (556 )     1,597  
 
                 
 
  $ 31,633     $ 5,650     $ 37,283  
 
                 
     Income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35 percent for 2009 and 2008 and 2007, to income before income taxes as follows:
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
Computed expected tax expense
  $ (32,189 )   $ 8,696     $ 28,992  
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
                       
Book expenses not deductible for tax purposes
    816       1,482       1,105  
Stock-based compensation
    (3,534 )     2,145       880  
Amortization of non-deductible goodwill
    1       19       24  
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
    (628 )     1,382       6,168  
Undistributed earnings foreign subsidiaries
    828       821       465  
Valuation allowance
    (9 )     594       (772 )
Other differences, net
    (1,431 )     (652 )     421  
 
                 
 
  $ (36,146 )   $ 14,487     $ 37,283  
 
                 

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are presented below:
                 
    2009     2008  
Current deferred tax assets:
               
Receivables, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 6,298     $ 6,124  
Tax credits
    3,912        
Accrued liabilities not deducted for tax purposes
    2,890       2,401  
Other
    423       423  
 
           
Net current deferred tax asset
  $ 13,523     $ 8,948  
 
           
Non-current deferred tax liabilities:
               
Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation
  $ (37,676 )   $ (33,135 )
Intangibles, due to differences in amortizable lives
    (266,570 )     (250,574 )
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiary
    (2,940 )     (2,112 )
Investment in partnership
    (973 )     (126 )
Other, net
          (186 )
 
           
 
  $ (308,159 )   $ (286,133 )
 
           
 
               
Non-current deferred tax assets:
               
Plant and equipment, due to basis differences on acquisitions and costs capitalized for tax purposes
    19,074       21,107  
Investment in affiliates and plant and equipment, due to gains recognized for tax purposes and deferred for financial reporting purposes
    933       933  
Accrued liabilities not deducted for tax purposes
    26,438       13,540  
Net operating loss carry forward
    46,063       27,712  
Asset retirement obligation
    51,857       49,893  
Tax credits
    16,288       13,362  
Interest rate swap agreement
          2,403  
Other, net
    87        
Charitable contributions carry forward
    333       218  
 
           
Total deferred tax assets
    161,073       129,168  
Less: valuation allowance
    (1,679 )     (1,692 )
 
           
Total net deferred tax assets
    159,394       127,476  
 
           
Net non-current deferred tax liability
  $ (148,765 )   $ (158,657 )
 
           
     During 2009, we generated $111,176 of U.S. net operating losses, of which $73,990 will be used to carry back to the 2007 tax year. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $82,059 of U.S. net operating loss carry forwards remaining to offset future taxable income. Of this amount, $43,201 is subject to an IRC §382 limitation of $11,793 per year. Theses carry forwards expire between 2022 through 2029. In addition, we have $19,842 of various credits available to offset future U.S. federal income tax.
     As of December 31, 2009 we have approximately $307,348 state net operating losses before valuation allowances. These state net operating losses are available to reduce future taxable income and expire at various times and amounts. Management has determined that a valuation allowance related to state net operating loss carry forwards is necessary. The valuation allowance for these deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $1,679 and $1,692, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 was a (decrease) increase of $(13), $594 and $(772), respectively.
     In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those jurisdictions during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the level of historical federal taxable income and projections for future federal taxable income over the periods for which the U.S. deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes that it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances at December 31, 2009. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are reduced.

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LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
     We have a deferred tax liability of approximately $2,940 for the undistributed earnings of our foreign operations that arose in 2008 and prior years. We have recognized current year tax expense of approximately $828 for the change in this deferred tax liability. As of December 31, 2009, the undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries were approximately $8,400.
(7) Related Party Transactions
     Affiliates, as used within these statements, are persons or entities that are affiliated with Lamar Media Corp. or its subsidiaries through common ownership and directorate control.
     On September 30, 2005, Lamar Media Corp. issued a note payable to its parent, Lamar Advertising Company, for $287,500 bearing interest at 2 7/8% due 2010. This note was paid in full as of December 31, 2009.
     As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there was a receivable (payable) from/to Lamar Advertising Company, its parent, in the amount of $(7,075) and $2,221, respectively.
     Effective December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Lamar Advertising Company contributed $17,302 and $24,601, respectively, to Lamar Media which resulted in an increase in Lamar Media’s additional paid-in capital.
(8) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
                                 
    Year 2009 Quarters
    March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
Net revenues
  $ 247,248     $ 274,736     $ 271,766     $ 262,315  
Net revenues less direct advertising expenses
  $ 146,267     $ 175,292     $ 174,136     $ 162,645  
Net loss
  $ (19,355 )   $ (12,997 )   $ (4,822 )   $ (18,649 )
                                 
    Year 2008 Quarters
    March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
Net revenues
  $ 282,776     $ 323,819     $ 312,516     $ 279,308  
Net revenues less direct advertising expenses
  $ 177,551     $ 213,317     $ 198,541     $ 171,350  
Net income (loss)
  $ (1,632 )   $ 14,677     $ 3,819     $ (6,504 )

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SCHEDULE 2
Lamar Media Corp.
and Subsidiaries
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)
                                 
    Balance at   Charged to           Balance
    Beginning of   Costs and           at end
    Period   Expenses   Deductions   of Period
Year Ended December 31, 2009
                               
Deducted in balance sheet from trade accounts receivable:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 10,000       12,663       13,113     $ 9,550  
Deducted in balance sheet from intangible assets:
                               
Amortization of intangible assets
  $ 1,388,671       108,293       52     $ 1,496,912  
Year Ended December 31, 2008
                               
Deducted in balance sheet from trade accounts receivable:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 6,740       14,365       11,105     $ 10,000  
Deducted in balance sheet from intangible assets:
                               
Amortization of intangible assets
  $ 1,281,690       106,981           $ 1,388,671  
Year Ended December 31, 2007
                               
Deducted in balance sheet from trade accounts receivable:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 6,400       7,166       6,826     $ 6,740  
Deducted in balance sheet from intangible assets:
                               
Amortization of intangible assets
  $ 1,172,441       109,249           $ 1,281,690  

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Lamar Advertising Company
None
Lamar Media Corp.
None
ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
     The Company’s and Lamar Media’s management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company and Lamar Media, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s and Lamar Media’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company and Lamar Media concluded, as of December 31, 2009, that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the Company’s and Lamar Media’s reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Lamar Advertising Company
     The Company’s Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is set forth on page 31 of this combined Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
     Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Lamar Media Corp.
     Lamar Media’s Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is set forth on page 60 of this combined Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
     Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
     There were no changes in the Company’s or Lamar Media’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of the Company’s and Lamar Media’s internal controls performed during the fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s or Lamar Media’s internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION
Lamar Advertising Company
None
Lamar Media Corp.
None
PART III
ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERANCE
     The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
     We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “code of ethics”) that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. The code of ethics is filed as an exhibit that is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. In addition, if we make any substantive amendments to the code of ethics or grant any wavier, including any implicit wavier, from a provision of the code to any of our executive officers or directors, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
     The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
     The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
     The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
     The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Lamar Advertising Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

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PART IV
ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
     (A) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     The financial statements are listed under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.
     2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
     The financial statement schedules are included under Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.
     3. EXHIBITS
     The exhibits filed as part of this report are listed on the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
     (B) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed on the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto.

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
 
 
February 25, 2010  By:   /s/ Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.    
    Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
     
/s/ Kevin P. Reilly, Jr
 
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   2/25/10
 
     
/s/ Keith A. Istre
 
Keith A. Istre
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   2/25/10
 
     
/s/ Wendell S. Reilly
 
Wendell S. Reilly
  Director    2/25/10
 
     
/s/ Stephen P. Mumblow
 
Stephen P. Mumblow
  Director    2/25/10
 
     
/s/ John Maxwell Hamilton
 
John Maxwell Hamilton
  Director    2/25/10
 
     
/s/ Thomas Reifenheiser
 
Thomas Reifenheiser
  Director    2/25/10
 
     
/s/ Anna Reilly
 
Anna Reilly
  Director    2/25/10
 
     
/s/ Edward H. McDermott
 
Edward H. McDermott
  Director    2/25/10
 
     
/s/ John E. Koerner, III
 
John E. Koerner, III
  Director    2/25/10

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  LAMAR MEDIA CORP.
 
 
February 25, 2010  By:   /s/ Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.    
    Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
             
Signature   Title   Date
 
   
/s/ Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.
 
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)     2/25/10  
 
   
/s/ Sean E. Reilly
 
Sean E. Reilly
  Chief Operating Officer, Vice President and Director     2/25/10  
 
   
/s/ Keith A. Istre
 
Keith A. Istre
  Chief Financial and Accounting Officer and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)     2/25/10  
 
   
/s/ C. Brent McCoy
 
C. Brent McCoy
  Executive Vice President of Business Development and Director     2/25/10  

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
         
EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
2(a)
  Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Entravision Communications Corporation, Z-Spanish Media Corporation, Inc., Vista Media Group, Inc. and Lamar Advertising of Penn, LLC, dated February 28, 2008.   Previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 21, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
2(b)
  Amendment to the Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Entravision Communications Corporation, Z-Spanish Media Corporation, Inc., Vista Media Group, Inc. and Lamar Advertising of Penn, LLC, dated May 16, 2008.   Previously filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 21, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
3(a)
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.   Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on February 22, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
3(b)
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on August 27, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
3(c)
  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Lamar Media.   Previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007 (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
3(d)
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of Lamar Media.   Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Lamar Media’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1999 (File No. 0-12407) filed on November 12, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(a)
  Specimen certificate for the shares of Class A common stock of the Company.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-05479) and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(1)
  Indenture, dated as of December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, certain subsidiaries of Lamar Media, as guarantors and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National, as trustee, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Lamar Media’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-20833) filed on December 27, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(2)
  Form of 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Lamar Media’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-20833) filed on December 27, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(3)
  Form of 7 1/4% Exchange Note Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.29 to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-102634) filed on January 21, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(4)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, certain of its subsidiaries and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of June 9, 2003, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.31 to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-107427) filed on July 29, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.

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EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
4(b)(5)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, certain of its subsidiaries and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of October 7, 2003, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Lamar Media’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 1-12407) filed on November 5, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(6)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, Lamar Canadian Outdoor Company and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of April 5, 2004, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (File No. 0-30242) filed on August 6, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(7)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, certain of its subsidiaries and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of January 19, 2005, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 6, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(8)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, certain of its subsidiaries and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of February 21, 2008, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4(e)(8) to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161261) filed on August 11, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(9)
  Release of Guaranty under the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, certain of its subsidiaries and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, as Trustee, by the Trustee, dated as of December 30, 2005, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.19 to Lamar Media’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 1-12407) filed on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(b)(10)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2002 among Lamar Media, certain of its subsidiaries and the Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated as of January 12, 2009, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes due 2013.   Filed herewith.
 
       
4(c)(1)
  Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2003 between Lamar Media and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, as Trustee, relating to Lamar Media’s 7 1/4% Notes Due 2013.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Lamar Media’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 1-12407) filed on August 13, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(c)(2)
  First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of June 16, 2003 between Lamar Media and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of June 16, 2003, relating to the Company’s 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Lamar Media’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 1-12407) filed on August 13, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(c)(3)
  Form of 2 7/8% Convertible Note due 2010.   Previously filed as an exhibit to the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2003, between Lamar Media and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, National Association, which was previously filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Lamar Media’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2003 (File No. 1-12407) filed on August 13, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(c)(4)
  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 3, 2007, between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the Company’s 2 7/8% Convertible Notes due 2010.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on July 9, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.

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EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
4(c)(5)
  Form of 2 7/8% Convertible Note due 2010 — Series B.   Previously filed as an exhibit to the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 3, 2007 between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., which was previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on July 9, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(d)(1)
  Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2005, among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on August 18, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(d)(2)
  Form of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2015.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (1-12407) filed on August 18, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(d)(3)
  First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2005 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of December 11, 2006, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015.   Previously filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on December 14, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(d)(4)
  Release of Guaranty under the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2005 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, by the Trustee, dated as of December 30, 2005, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.20 to Lamar Media’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 1-12407) filed on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(d)(5)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2005 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of February 21, 2008, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4(g)(5) to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161261) filed on August 11, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(d)(6)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of August 16, 2005 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and the Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated as of January 12, 2009, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B.   Filed herewith.
 
       
4(e)(1)
  Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2006, among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on August 18, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(e)(2)
  Form of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2015 — Series B.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on August 18, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(e)(3)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of August 17, 2006 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of February 21, 2008, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4(h)(3) to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161261) filed on August 11, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(e)(4)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of August 17, 2006 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and the Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated as of January 12, 2009, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B.   Filed herewith.

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EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
4(f)(1)
  Indenture, dated as of October 11, 2007, among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series C.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on October 16, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(f)(2)
  Form of 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Exchange Notes due 2015 — Series C.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on October 16, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(f)(3)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of October 11, 2007 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of February 21, 2008, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series C.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4(i)(3) to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161261) filed on August 11, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(f)(4)
  Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of October 11, 2007 among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and the Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, dated as of January 12, 2009, relating to Lamar Media’s 6 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 — Series B.   Filed herewith.
 
       
4(g)(1)
  Indenture, dated as of March 27, 2009, among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to Lamar Media’s 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2014.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 27, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(g)(2)
  Form of 9 3/4% Senior Exchange Notes due 2014.   Previously filed with the indenture dated March 27, 2009, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 27, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
4(h)
  Subordinated Note (mirror note), dated as of September 30, 2005, by Lamar Media to the Company.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4(k) to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161261) filed on August 11, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(a)(1)*
  Lamar 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, as adopted by the Board of Directors in February 2009 and the approved by the stockholders in May 2009.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 29, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(a)(2)*
  Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 10, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(a)(3)*
  Form of Restricted Stock Agreement.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.16 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(a)(4)*
  Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee directors.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(b)*
  2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.   Previously filed as Appendix B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (File No. 0-30242) filed on April 24, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.

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EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
10(c)*
  Lamar Advertising Company Non-Management Director Compensation Plan.   Previously filed on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(d)(1)*
  Lamar Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended).   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on August 27, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(d)(2)*
  Form of Trust Agreement for the Lamar Deferred Compensation Plan.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on December 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(e)*
  Summary of Compensatory Arrangements, dated March 4, 2009.   Previously filed on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 6, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(f)(1)
  Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2003, among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A (File No. 333-102634) filed on March 18, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(f)(2)
  Amendment No. 1, dated as of January 28, 2004, to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 7, 2003 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 10, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(f)(3)
  Joinder Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2003, to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 7, 2003 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, by Premere Outdoor, Inc.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Lamar Media’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 1-12407) filed on November 5, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(f)(4)
  Joinder Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2004, to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 7, 2003 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, by Lamar Canadian Outdoor Company.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 (File No. 0-30242) filed on August 6, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(f)(5)
  Joinder Agreement, dated as of January 19, 2005, to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 7, 2003 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, by certain of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 6, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(g)(1)
  Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2005, between Lamar Media and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(g)(2)
  Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 5, 2006, to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on October 6, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.

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EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
10(g)(3)
  Amendment No. 2, dated as of December 11, 2006, to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary borrower party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (file No. 0-30242) filed on December 14, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(g)(4)
  Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 28, 2007, to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 among Lamar Media, the Company, the subsidiary borrower party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(g)(5)
  Amendment No. 4, dated as of April 2, 2009, to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 among Lamar Media, the Company, the subsidiary borrower party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on April 8, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(g)(6)
  Joinder Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2006, to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, by Daum Advertising Company, Inc.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.18 to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-138142) filed on October 23, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(g)(7)
  Joinder Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2008, to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10(i)(7) to Lamar Media’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-161261) filed on August 11, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(g)(8)
  Joinder Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2009, to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2005 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Filed herewith.
 
       
10(h)
  Tranche C Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2004, among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the Tranche C loan lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 10, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(i)
  Tranche D Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2004, among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2004 (File No. 0-30242) filed on November 15, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(j)
  Series A Incremental Loan Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2006, among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Series A incremental lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Company.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(k)
  Series B Incremental Loan Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2006, among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Series B incremental lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Company.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (file No. 0-30242) filed on October 6, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

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EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
10(l)
  Series C Incremental Loan Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2006, among Lamar Media, Lamar Transit Advertising Canada Ltd., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Series C incremental lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, acting as sub-agent of the administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (file No. 0-30242) filed on December 22, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(m)
  Series D Incremental Loan Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2007, among Lamar Advertising of Puerto Rico, Inc., Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Series D incremental lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2007 (File No. 0-30242) filed on May 10, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(n)
  Series E Incremental Loan Agreement dated as of March 28, 2007 among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Series E incremental lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(o)
  Series F Incremental Loan Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2007, among Lamar Media, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, the Series F incremental lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
10(p)
  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2009, among Lamar Media, the guarantors named therein and the initial purchasers named therein.   Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 27, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
11(a)
  Statement regarding computation of per share earnings for the Company.   Filed herewith.
 
       
12(a)
  Statement regarding computation of earnings to fixed charges for the Company.   Filed herewith.
 
       
12(b)
  Statement regarding computation of earnings to fixed charges for Lamar Media.   Filed herewith.
 
       
14(a)
  Lamar Advertising Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.   Previously filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 0-30242) filed on March 10, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
       
21(a)
  Subsidiaries of the Company.   Filed herewith.
 
       
23(a)
  Consent of KPMG LLP.   Filed herewith.
 
       
31(a)
  Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Lamar Media pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.   Filed herewith.

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Table of Contents

         
EXHIBIT        
NUMBER   DESCRIPTION   METHOD OF FILING
 
       
31(b)
  Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Lamar Media pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.   Filed herewith.
 
       
32(a)
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   Filed herewith.
 
*   Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement in which the executive officers or directors of the Company participate.

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