e424b3
Filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-143419
PROSPECTUS
Lamar
Advertising Company
Offer to Exchange a New Series of
27/8% Convertible
Notes Due 2010 Series B
and an Exchange Fee for All Outstanding
27/8% Convertible
Notes due 2010
The
Exchange Offer
We are offering to exchange, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying
letter of transmittal, a new series of
27/8% Convertible
Notes due 2010 Series B and an exchange fee for
all of our
27/8% Convertible
Notes due 2010. We refer to this offer as the exchange
offer. We refer to our existing
27/8% Convertible
Notes due 2010 as the outstanding notes and to the
new series of
27/8% Convertible
Notes due 2010 Series B as the new
notes. The CUSIP number of the outstanding notes is 512815
AG 6, and the CUSIP number of the new notes is 512815 AH 4.
Upon completion of the exchange offer, each $1,000 principal
amount of outstanding notes that are validly tendered and not
validly withdrawn will be exchanged for $1,000 principal amount
of new notes and an exchange fee of $2.50.
The exchange offer expires at midnight, New York City time, on
June 27, 2007, which we refer to as the expiration
date, unless earlier terminated or extended by us.
Tenders of outstanding notes may be withdrawn at any time before
midnight, New York City time on the expiration date of the
exchange offer.
The New
Notes
Comparison: The terms of the new notes
differ from the terms of the outstanding notes in the following
ways:
The new notes are convertible into shares of our Class A
common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at our option.
The new notes are convertible only under the following
circumstances: (1) if the closing sale price of our
Class A common stock reaches, or the trading price of the
notes falls below, specified thresholds, (2) if specified
distributions to holders of our Class A common stock occur,
(3) if a fundamental change or change of control occurs or
(4) during the 10 business days prior to maturity. The
outstanding notes are convertible at the option of the holders
without restrictions.
The conversion rate applicable to the new notes will be
increased if we become a party to a consolidation, merger or
sale of all or substantially all of our assets that constitutes
a fundamental change as described in this prospectus, subject to
certain exceptions. The conversion rate for the new notes also
will be adjusted for certain events, including payment of cash
dividends on our Class A common stock. The
conversion rate as that term is used in this
prospectus means the conversion rate in effect at any given time.
Maturity: The new notes will mature on
December 31, 2010.
Interest Payments: We will pay interest
on June 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning on
June 30, 2007.
Ranking: The new notes are our general
unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment
with all of our other senior, unsecured debt obligations.
Repurchase at Option of
Holders: Holders may require us to purchase
for cash all or a portion of their new notes upon a change of
control.
See Risk Factors beginning on page 10 for a
discussion of certain risks that you should consider before
participating in the exchange offer.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC) nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
The dealer-manager for this exchange offer is:
Wachovia Securities
The date of this prospectus is June 26, 2007
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any
information or to represent anything not contained in this
prospectus. You should not rely on any unauthorized information
or representations. This prospectus is an offer to exchange only
the new notes offered by this prospectus, and only under the
circumstances and in those jurisdictions where it is lawful to
do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current
only as of its date.
Lamar Advertising Company is a Delaware corporation. Our
principal executive offices are located at 5551 Corporate Blvd.,
Baton Rouge, LA 70808, and our telephone number at that address
is
(225) 926-1000.
Our web site is located at http://www.lamar.com. The
information on or linked to from the web site is not part of
this prospectus.
In this prospectus, except as the context otherwise requires or
as otherwise noted, Lamar Advertising,
we, us and our refer to
Lamar Advertising Company and its subsidiaries, except with
respect to the notes, in which case such terms refer only to
Lamar Advertising Company. Lamar Media Corp., our direct wholly
owned subsidiary, is referred to herein as Lamar
Media.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements, any amendments to those reports and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we
file at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of all or a portion of
such materials can be obtained from the Public Reference Section
of the SEC upon payment of prescribed fees. Please call the SEC
at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information. Our SEC filings are also available to
the public at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov
and our internet website at http://www.lamar.com. The
information on our website does not constitute a part of this
prospectus and is not incorporated herein by reference.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we have filed with them, which means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is deemed
to be a part of this prospectus. The reports and other documents
we file after the date of this prospectus will update,
supplement and supersede the information in this prospectus. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
documents we file subsequently with the SEC under
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the date of the
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initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of
the registration statement and after the date of the prospectus
and prior to the termination of the offering; provided, however,
that we are not incorporating any information furnished under
Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on
Form 8-K.
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Our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the
SEC on March 1, 2007;
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Our Current Reports on
Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on March 19, 2007, March 29, 2007
and May 30, 2007;
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Our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on
May 10, 2007; and
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The description of our common stock in our registration
statement on
Form 8-A/A,
filed on July 27, 1999, including any amendment or reports
filed for the purpose of updating this description.
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You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing
or telephoning us at:
Lamar Advertising Company
Attn: Keith Istre
5551 Corporate Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 926-1000
INDUSTRY
AND MARKET DATA
The market data and other statistical information used
throughout this prospectus are based on independent industry
publications, government publications, reports by market
research firms or other published independent sources. Some data
are also based on our good faith estimates, which are derived
from our review of internal surveys, as well as the independent
sources listed above. Although we believe these sources are
reliable, we have not independently verified the information and
cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness.
STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding our future financial performance and
condition, business plans, objectives, prospects, growth and
operating strategies and market opportunities. These are
statements that relate to future periods and include statements
regarding our anticipated performance.
Generally, the words anticipates,
believes, expects, intends,
estimates, projects, plans
and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could
cause our actual results, performance or achievements or
industry results, to differ materially from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other
important factors include, among others:
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risks and uncertainties relating to our significant indebtedness;
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the demand for outdoor advertising;
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the performance of the U.S. economy generally and the level
of expenditures on outdoor advertising in particular;
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our ability to renew expiring contracts at favorable rates;
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the integration of companies that we acquire and our ability to
recognize cost savings or operating efficiencies as a result of
these acquisitions;
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our need for and ability to obtain additional funding for
acquisitions or operations; and
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the regulation of the outdoor advertising industry by federal,
state and local governments.
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Although we believe that the statements contained in this
prospectus are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no
assurance that our goals will be achieved. Given these
uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are made as of the date of this prospectus.
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PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This summary highlights the information contained elsewhere
in this prospectus. Because this is only a summary, it does not
contain all of the information that may be important to you. For
a more complete understanding of this exchange offer, we
encourage you to read this entire prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference into the registration statement of
which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the
following summary together with the more detailed information
and consolidated financial statements and the notes to those
statements incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise
indicated, financial information included or incorporated by
reference into this prospectus is presented on an historical
basis.
Lamar
Advertising Company
We are one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the
United States based on number of displays and have operated
under the Lamar name since 1902. As of March 31, 2007, we
owned and operated approximately 151,000 billboard advertising
displays in 44 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, operated
over 97,000 logo advertising displays in 19 states and the
province of Ontario, Canada, and operated approximately 28,100
transit advertising displays in 17 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.
Our
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.
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Bulletins are generally large, illuminated advertising
structures that are located on major highways and target
vehicular traffic.
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Posters are generally smaller advertising structures that
are located on major traffic arteries and city streets and
target vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
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In addition to these traditional billboards, we are also
introducing digital billboards which are generally located on
major traffic arteries and city streets. As of March 31,
2007, we owned and operated approximately 390 digital billboard
advertising displays in 36 states.
Logo Signs. We sell advertising space
on logo signs located near highway exits.
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Logo signs generally advertise nearby gas, food, camping,
lodging and other attractions.
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We are the largest provider of logo signs in the United States,
operating 19 of the 25 privatized state logo sign contracts. As
of March 31, 2007, we operated approximately 97,000 logo
sign advertising displays in 19 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 65
markets. As of March 31, 2007, we operated approximately
28,100 transit advertising displays in 17 states, Canada
and Puerto Rico.
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 80% of our net revenues
for the three months ended March 31, 2007, which management
believes is higher than the industry average. We believe that
the
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experience of our regional and local managers has contributed
greatly to our success. For example, regional managers have been
with us for an average of 25 years. In an effort to provide
high quality sales and service at the local level, we employed
approximately 900 local account executives as of March 31,
2007. Local account executives are typically supported by
additional local staff and have the ability to draw upon the
resources of the central office, as well as offices in our 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 the local managers are
responsible for the
day-to-day
operations in each local market and are compensated according to
that markets financial performance.
Continuing to focus on internal
growth. Within our existing markets, we seek
to increase our revenue and improve our 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 lead
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,
1997 to March 31, 2007, we invested approximately
$966 million 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 strategic
acquisitions. We intend to enhance our growth
by continuing to pursue strategic acquisitions that result in
increased operating efficiencies, greater geographic
diversification, increased market penetration and opportunities
for inter-market cross-selling. In addition to acquiring outdoor
advertising assets in new markets, we acquire complementary
outdoor advertising assets within existing markets and in
contiguous markets. We have a proven track record of integrating
acquired outdoor advertising businesses and assets. Since
January 1, 1997, we have successfully completed over
800 acquisitions, including over 260 acquisitions for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $670 million from
January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2007. Although the
advertising industry is becoming more consolidated, we believe
acquisition opportunities still exist, given the industrys
continued fragmentation among smaller advertising companies.
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 from
states converting 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 an effort to maintain market share, we have
entered the transit advertising business through the operation
of displays on bus shelters, benches and buses in 65 of our
advertising markets.
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Summary
of the Exchange Offer
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Purpose of the Exchange Offer
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The purpose of the exchange offer is to change certain terms of
the outstanding notes, including the type of consideration that
we may use to pay holders upon conversion. The new notes are
convertible into Class A common stock, cash or a combination
thereof, at our option, subject to certain conditions, while the
outstanding notes are convertible solely into Lamars
Class A common stock. |
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The Exchange Offer and Exchange Fee
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We are offering to exchange $1,000 principal amount of new notes
and an exchange fee of $2.50 for each $1,000 principal amount of
outstanding notes accepted for exchange. |
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Conditions to the Exchange Offer
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The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we
may waive, including that the registration statement and any
post-effective amendment to the registration statement covering
the new notes be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Securities Act. See The
Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer. |
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Expiration Date; Extension
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This exchange offer will expire at midnight, New York City time,
on June 27, 2007, unless extended or terminated by us, which
date we refer to as the expiration date. We may
extend the expiration date for any reason. If we decide to
extend the exchange offer, we will announce the extension by
press release or other permitted means no later than
9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled expiration date. |
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Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes
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In order to exchange outstanding notes, you must tender the
outstanding notes together with a properly completed letter of
transmittal and the other agreements and documents described in
this prospectus and the letter of transmittal. |
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If you own outstanding notes held through a broker or other
third party, or in street name, you will need to
follow the instructions in the letter of transmittal on how to
instruct the broker or third party to tender the outstanding
notes on your behalf, as well as submit a letter of transmittal
and the other agreements and documents described in this
prospectus and the letter of transmittal. We will determine in
our reasonable discretion whether any outstanding notes have
been validly tendered. |
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Outstanding notes may be tendered by electronic transmission of
acceptance through The Depositary Trust Companys, or
DTCs, Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, procedures
for transfer or by delivery of a signed letter of transmittal
pursuant to the instructions described therein. Custodial
entities that are participants in DTC must tender outstanding
notes through DTCs ATOP, by which the custodial entity and
the beneficial owner on whose behalf the custodial entity is
acting agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal. A letter
of transmittal need not accompany tenders effected through ATOP.
Please carefully follow the |
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instructions contained in this prospectus on how to tender your
notes. |
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If we decide for any reason not to accept any outstanding notes
for exchange, they will be returned without expense promptly
after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer. See
The Exchange Offer Procedures for
Exchange. |
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Guaranteed Delivery Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes
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If you cannot meet the expiration deadline or you cannot deliver
your outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal or any other
documentation to comply with the applicable procedures under
DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream standard operating procedures for
electronic tenders in a timely fashion, you may tender your
notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
under The Exchange Offer Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures. |
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Acceptance of Outstanding Notes and Delivery of Exchange Notes
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We will accept any outstanding notes that are properly tendered
for exchange before midnight, New York City time, on the day
this exchange offer expires. The exchange notes will be
delivered promptly after expiration of this exchange offer upon
the terms and subject to the conditions in this prospectus and
the letter of transmittal. |
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Withdrawal Rights
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If you tender your outstanding notes for exchange in this
exchange offer and later wish to withdraw them, you may do so at
any time before midnight, New York City time, on the day this
exchange offer expires. |
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Consequences If You Do Not Exchange Your Outstanding Notes
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The liquidity and trading market for outstanding notes not
tendered in the exchange offer could be adversely affected to
the extent a significant number of the outstanding notes are
tendered and accepted in the exchange offer. Holders who do not
exchange their outstanding notes for new notes will not receive
the exchange fee. Holders of outstanding notes who do not
exchange their outstanding notes for new notes can continue to
convert their outstanding notes during the term of the
outstanding notes in accordance with the terms of the
outstanding notes. |
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United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
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The United States federal income tax consequences of the
exchange of outstanding notes for new notes are not entirely
clear. We intend to take the position, however, that the
exchange of outstanding notes for new notes will not constitute
a significant modification of the terms of the outstanding notes
and that, as a result, the new notes will be treated as a
continuation of the outstanding notes and there will be no
United States federal income tax consequences to holders who
participate in the exchange offer, except that holders will have
to recognize the amount of the exchange fee as ordinary income.
Unless an exemption applies, we may withhold at a rate of 30%
from the payment of the exchange fee to any non-U.S. Holder
(as defined herein) participating in the exchange offer. If,
contrary to our position, the exchange of the outstanding notes
for the new notes |
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does constitute a significant modification to the terms of the
outstanding notes, the U.S. federal income tax consequences
to you could materially differ. |
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Exchange Agent
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The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. is serving as the
exchange agent. Its address and telephone number are provided on
the back cover page of this prospectus. See The Exchange
Offer Exchange Agent. |
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Information Agent
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The Altman Group has been appointed as the information agent for
the exchange offer. Its address and telephone number are
provided on the back cover of this prospectus. See The
Exchange Offer Information Agent. |
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Dealer-Manager
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Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (Wachovia Securities
or Dealer-Manager) has been retained to act as
dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer. Its
address and telephone number are provided on the back cover of
this prospectus. See The Exchange Offer
Dealer-Manager. |
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Use of Proceeds
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We will not receive any cash proceeds from this exchange offer.
See Use of Proceeds. |
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Material
Differences Between the Outstanding Notes and the New
Notes
The material differences between the outstanding notes and the
new notes are described in the table below. The table below is
qualified in its entirety by the information contained elsewhere
in this prospectus and the documents governing the outstanding
notes and the new notes, copies of which have been filed as
exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part. For a more detailed description of the new notes,
see Description of the New Notes.
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Outstanding Notes
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New Notes
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Securities Offered
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$287,500,000 aggregate principal
amount of
27/8%
Convertible Notes due 2010 (the outstanding
notes).
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Up to $287,500,000 aggregate
principal amount of
27/8%
Convertible Notes due 2010 Series B (the
new notes).
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Conversion Rights
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Holders may convert their
outstanding notes at their option at any time.
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Holders may convert their new
notes under the following circumstances:
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during any calendar
quarter commencing at any time after September 30, 2007,
but only during such calendar quarter, if the closing sale price
of our Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days in a
period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading
day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 160% of the
conversion price per share, which is $1,000 divided by the
conversion rate;
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during the five
business day period after any five consecutive trading day
period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of
new notes for each day of that period was less than 98% of the
product of the closing sale price of our Class A common stock
for each day of that period and the conversion rate;
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if specified
distributions to holders of our Class A common stock are
made, or specified corporate transactions occur;
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if a fundamental
change or change of control occurs; or
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during the 10
trading days prior to, but excluding, the maturity date.
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Settlement upon Conversion
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Upon conversion of the outstanding
notes, we will deliver
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Upon conversion of the new notes,
we will deliver, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of
new
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Outstanding Notes
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New Notes
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shares of our Class A common
stock at the conversion rate.
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notes shares of our Class A
common stock, cash or a combination thereof at our option.
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For a detailed description of
these provisions, see Description of the New
Notes Conversion Settlement.
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Make Whole Upon
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Fundamental Change
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None.
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If a fundamental change occurs and
a holder elects to convert notes in connection with such
transaction, we will increase the conversion rate in connection
with such conversion by a number of additional shares of
Class A common stock based on the date such transaction
becomes effective and the price paid per share of Class A
common stock in such transaction as described under
Description of the New Notes Conversion
Rate Adjustments Make Whole Upon Fundamental
Change in this prospectus.
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Dividend Protection
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If we distribute a quarterly cash
dividend on shares of our Class A common stock, we will
increase the conversion rate (by multiplying the conversion rate
in effect immediately before the dividend record date by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the five day average closing
sale price per share of the Class A common stock, and the
denominator of which is the five day average closing sale price
per share of the Class A common stock minus the amount of the
cash dividend per share), based on the amount by which the
quarterly cash dividend per share exceeds 1.25% of the five day
average closing sale price per share of Class A common
stock.
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If we distribute a quarterly or
non- quarterly cash dividend on shares of our Class A
common stock, we will increase the conversion rate (by
multiplying the conversion rate in effect immediately before the
dividend record date by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the ten day average closing sale price per share of the Class A
common stock plus the amount of the cash dividend per share, and
the denominator of which is the ten day average closing sale
price per share of the Class A common stock), based upon the
full amount of the cash dividend per share.
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If we distribute a non-quarterly
cash dividend on our Class A common stock, we will increase
the conversion rate by the same formula, based upon the full
amount of the non- quarterly cash dividend per share.
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7
Summary
of the New Notes
The following is a summary of some of the terms of the new
notes. For a more complete description of the new notes, see
Description of the New Notes.
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Issuer
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Lamar Advertising Company. |
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New Notes
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Up to $287,500,000 aggregate principal amount of
27/8% Convertible
Notes due 2010 Series B. |
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Maturity Date
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December 31, 2010. |
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Interest Rate
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27/8% per
year. |
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Interest Payment Date
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June 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning
June 30, 2007. |
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Conditions to Conversion
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Holders may surrender their notes for shares of our Class A
common stock, cash or a combination thereof, as elected by us,
at the conversion rate. The initial conversion rate for each
$1,000 principal amount of new notes is 20.4518, which is
equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately
$48.90 per share of Class A common stock. The new
notes will only be convertible under the following circumstances: |
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during any calendar quarter commencing at any time
after
September 30, 2007 but only during such calendar quarter,
if the closing sale price of our Class A common stock for
at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading
days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar
quarter is more than 160% of the conversion price per share,
which is $1,000 divided by the conversion rate;
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during the five business day period after any five
consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per
$1,000 principal amount of new notes for each day of that period
was less than 98% of the product of the closing sale price of
our Class A common stock for each day of that period and
the conversion rate;
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if specified distributions to holders of our
Class A common stock are made, or specified corporate
transactions occur;
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if a fundamental change or change of control
occurs; or
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during the 10 trading days prior to, but excluding,
the maturity date.
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Conversion Rate Adjustments
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If a fundamental change occurs and a holder elects to convert
notes in connection with such transaction, we will increase the
conversion rate in connection with such conversion by a number
of additional shares of Class A common stock based on the
date such transaction becomes effective and the price paid per
share of Class A common stock in such transaction as
described under Description of the New Notes
Conversion Rate Adjustments Make Whole Upon
Fundamental Change in this prospectus. The conversion rate
for the new notes also will be adjusted for certain events,
including payment of cash dividends on our Class A common
stock. |
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If we undergo a public acquirer fundamental change,
however, we may elect to change the conversion rights of the new
notes that are converted in connection with that public acquirer
fundamental change (in lieu of increasing the conversion rate
applicable to the new notes that are converted in connection
with that public acquirer fundamental change), as described
under Description of the New Notes Conversion
Rate Adjustments Fundamental Change Involving a
Public Acquirer Fundamental Change in this prospectus. |
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Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control
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If we undergo a change of control, as that term is
defined in the new notes, you will have the right, subject to
certain conditions and restrictions, to require us to repurchase
your notes, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal amount
of the new notes, plus accrued interest to the date of
repurchase. See Description of the New Notes
Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control. |
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Ranking
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The new notes are our general unsecured obligations and will
rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior,
unsecured debt obligations. The new notes will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our
subsidiaries, partnerships and affiliated joint ventures. As of
March 31, 2007, our subsidiaries had approximately
$2.2 billion of total debt outstanding (excluding a mirror
note issued by Lamar Media to us in aggregate principal amount
of $287.5 million) that effectively ranked senior to the
new notes. |
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Voting Rights of Class A Common Stock
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We have two classes of common stock: Class A common stock
and Class B common stock. The Class A common stock and
the Class B common stock have the same rights and powers,
except that a share of Class A common stock entitles the
holder to one vote and a share of Class B common stock
entitles the holder to ten votes. The Reilly Family Limited
Partnership, which is controlled by Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.,
our President and Chief Executive Officer, and certain members
of the Reilly family are the beneficial owners of all the
outstanding shares of Class B common stock, representing
approximately 65% of the total voting power of the common stock. |
Risk
Factors
See Risk Factors for a discussion of certain factors
that you should carefully consider before investing in the new
notes.
9
RISK
FACTORS
Before deciding whether to tender your outstanding notes,
you should carefully consider the following information in
addition to the other information contained in this prospectus
and the documents incorporated by reference into this
prospectus. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected.
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ
significantly from those implied by our forward-looking
statements. See also Statements Regarding Forward-Looking
Information.
Risks
Related to the Exchange Offer
Holders
who fail to exchange their outstanding notes may have reduced
liquidity after the exchange offer.
We have not conditioned the exchange offer on receipt of any
minimum or maximum principal amount of outstanding notes. As
outstanding notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange
offer, the principal amount of remaining outstanding notes will
decrease. This decrease could reduce the liquidity of the
trading market for the outstanding notes. We cannot assure you
of the liquidity, or even the continuation, of any trading
market for the outstanding notes following the exchange offer.
The
value of the new notes may be less than the value of the
outstanding notes.
We are not making a recommendation as to whether holders of the
outstanding notes should exchange them. We have not retained,
and do not intend to retain, any unaffiliated representative to
act solely on behalf of the holders of the outstanding notes for
purposes of negotiating the terms of the exchange offer or
preparing a report concerning the fairness of the exchange
offer. The value of the new notes received in the exchange offer
may not in the future equal or exceed the value of the
outstanding notes tendered, and we do not take a position as to
whether you should participate in the exchange offer.
You
must comply with the exchange offer procedures to receive new
notes.
Delivery of new notes in exchange for outstanding notes tendered
and accepted for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer will be
made only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of the
following:
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certificates for outstanding notes or a book-entry confirmation
of a book-entry transfer of outstanding notes into the exchange
agents account at DTC, New York, New York as a depository,
including an agents message, as defined in this
prospectus, if the tendering holder does not deliver a letter of
transmittal;
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a complete and signed letter of transmittal, or facsimile copy,
with any required signature guarantees, or, in the case of a
book-entry transfer, an agents message in place of the
letter of transmittal; and
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any other documents required by the letter of transmittal.
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Therefore, holders of outstanding notes who would like to tender
outstanding notes in exchange for new notes should allow enough
time for the necessary documents to be timely received by the
exchange agent. We are not required to notify you of defects or
irregularities in tenders of outstanding notes for exchange. See
The Exchange Offer Procedures for
Exchange and The Exchange Offer
Miscellaneous.
If you exchange your outstanding notes in the exchange offer for
the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes,
you may be deemed to have received restricted securities. If you
are deemed to have received restricted securities, you will be
required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction.
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An
active trading market may not develop for the new
notes.
Although there is an active trading market in the Class A
common stock of Lamar Advertising, the new notes have no
established trading market and will not be listed on any
securities exchange. The new notes will be eligible for trading
in The PORTAL Market. The liquidity of any market for the new
notes will depend upon various factors, including:
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the number of holders of the new notes;
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the interest of securities dealers in making a market for the
new notes;
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the overall market for convertible securities;
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the trading price of our Class A common stock;
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our financial performance or prospects; and
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the prospects for companies in our industry generally.
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Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a market or liquidity
will develop for the new notes.
The
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange of the
outstanding notes for the new notes are not entirely
clear.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange
offer and of the ownership and disposition of the new notes are
not entirely clear because there is no statutory, administrative
or judicial authority that specifically addresses an exchange
with the terms of the exchange offer. We intend to take the
position that the modifications to the outstanding notes
resulting from the exchange of outstanding notes for new notes
should not constitute a significant modification of the
outstanding notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Assuming that this position is correct, the new notes will be
treated as a continuation of the outstanding notes and, except
for the exchange fee, there will be no U.S. federal income
tax consequences to a holder who exchanges outstanding notes for
new notes pursuant to the exchange offer. There can be no
assurances, however, that the IRS will agree that the exchange
does not constitute a significant modification of the
outstanding notes. If the exchange were to constitute a
significant modification of the outstanding notes and either the
outstanding notes or the new notes were not treated as
securities for United States federal income tax
purposes, the exchange would be a taxable transaction for United
States federal income tax purposes.
No authority specifically addresses a payment of cash
consideration (i.e., the exchange fee) to the holders of
outstanding notes as part of a transaction such as the exchange
offer. Although the matter is not free from doubt, we will treat
the payment of the cash consideration as ordinary income to
holders participating in the exchange offer. Accordingly, unless
an exception applies, we intend to withhold tax at a rate of 30%
from the payment of the cash consideration to any
non-U.S. holder
participating in the exchange.
Risks
Related to the New Notes
Because
Lamar Advertising Company is a holding company, the new notes
will be effectively subordinated to all of the existing and
future debt and obligations of Lamar Media Corp. and its
subsidiaries, and we may be unable to fulfill our obligations
under the new notes.
Because the new notes are obligations of a holding company that
has no significant assets or independent operations other than
the equity of Lamar Media, our wholly owned subsidiary, the new
notes will be effectively subordinated to all existing and
future indebtedness and obligations of Lamar Media and its
subsidiaries. At March 31, 2007, Lamar Media had
approximately $2.2 billion of total debt outstanding
(excluding a mirror note issued by Lamar Media to us in
aggregate principal amount of $287.5 million) to which the
new notes will be effectively subordinated. In addition, under
the terms of the indentures governing Lamar Medias senior
subordinated notes and the terms of Lamar Medias bank
credit facility, it can incur substantially more debt.
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As a consequence, we will be able to make payments on the new
notes only to the extent that the instruments representing
indebtedness of Lamar Media and its subsidiaries permit payments
to be distributed as a dividend on equity to Lamar Advertising
and there are amounts legally available to be distributed. Lamar
Medias existing indentures and its bank credit agreement
would block upstream payments of this type under various
circumstances, including the bankruptcy, liquidation or
reorganization of Lamar Media and its subsidiaries, and during
the continuance of defaults under these agreements.
In addition, following the liquidation of any subsidiary of
Lamar Advertising, the creditors of that subsidiary will be
entitled to be paid in full before Lamar Advertising is entitled
to a distribution of any assets in the liquidation.
We
have substantial debt and intend to incur additional debt in the
future that could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and financial results and prevent us from fulfilling
our obligations under the new notes.
We have borrowed substantially in the past and will continue to
borrow in the future. At March 31, 2007, we had
approximately $2.5 billion of total consolidated debt
outstanding, consisting of approximately $1.2 billion in
bank debt, $989.3 million in various series of senior
subordinated notes, $6.6 million in other short-term and
long-term debt, and $287.5 million in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding
27/8% convertible
notes due 2010 that are subject to this exchange offer. Despite
the level of debt presently outstanding, the terms of the
indentures governing the senior subordinated notes issued by
Lamar Media and our notes and the terms of Lamar Medias
bank credit facility allow us, Lamar Media and its subsidiaries
to incur substantially more debt, including approximately
$385 million available for borrowing as of March 31,
2007 under Lamar Medias revolving bank credit facility.
Our substantial debt and our use of cash flow from operations to
make principal and interest payments on our debt may, among
other things:
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limit the cash flow available to fund our working capital,
capital expenditures or other general corporate requirements;
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limit our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future
working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate
requirements;
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inhibit our ability to fund or finance an appropriate level of
acquisition activity, which has traditionally been a significant
component of our
year-to-year
revenue growth;
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place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to those of our
competitors that have less debt;
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make it more difficult for us to comply with the financial
covenants in Lamar Medias bank credit facility, which
could result in a default and an acceleration of all amounts
outstanding under the facility;
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force us 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 consent of lenders under Lamar
Medias bank credit facility or the holders of our other
debt;
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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our business and industry; and
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increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions.
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Any of these problems could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and financial results.
We may
be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our
significant debt service obligations.
Our ability to generate cash flow from operations to make
principal and interest payments on our debt, including the new
notes, will depend on our future performance, which will be
affected by a range of economic, competitive and business
factors. We cannot control many of these factors, including
general economic conditions, our customers allocation of
advertising expenditures among available media and the
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amount spent on advertising in general. If our operations do not
generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt service
obligations, we may need to borrow additional funds to make
these payments or undertake alternative financing plans, such as
refinancing or restructuring our debt, or reducing or delaying
capital investments and acquisitions. We cannot guarantee that
such additional funds or alternative financing will be available
on favorable terms, if at all. Our inability to generate
sufficient cash flow from operations or obtain additional funds
or alternative financing on acceptable terms could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Restrictions
in our and Lamar Medias debt agreements reduce operating
flexibility and contain covenants and restrictions that create
the potential for defaults, which could adversely affect our
business, financial condition and financial
results.
The terms of Lamar Medias bank credit facility and the
indentures relating to Lamar Medias outstanding senior
subordinated notes and the indenture related to the outstanding
notes restrict, and the terms of the indenture relating to the
new notes will restrict, our ability to, among other things:
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incur or repay debt;
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dispose of assets;
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create liens;
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make investments;
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enter into affiliate transactions; and
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pay dividends and make inter-company distributions.
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The terms of Lamar Medias bank credit facility also
restrict Lamar Media from exceeding specified total debt ratios
and require Lamar Media to maintain specified fixed charge
coverage ratios.
These restrictions reduce our operating flexibility and could
prevent us from exploiting investment, acquisition, marketing,
stock repurchase or other time-sensitive business opportunities.
Moreover, Lamar Medias ability to comply with the
financial covenants in the bank credit facility (and any similar
covenants in future agreements) depends on our operating
performance, which in turn depends heavily on prevailing
economic, financial and business conditions and other factors
that are beyond our control. Therefore, despite our best efforts
and execution of our strategic plan, we may be unable to comply
with these financial covenants in the future.
If we or Lamar Media fail to comply with our financial
covenants, the lenders under Lamar Medias bank 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 our outstanding notes and
Lamar Medias outstanding senior subordinated notes. Any of
these events could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and financial results.
We may
not be able to purchase the new notes upon a change of
control.
Upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in
Description of the New Notes Repurchase at
Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control on page 52), we
will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding new
notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of their principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
repurchase. Our obligation to repurchase the new notes upon a
change of control cannot be waived without the consent of the
affected noteholder. However, it is possible that we will not
have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control to
make the required repurchase of new notes or that restrictions
in Lamar Medias bank credit facility will not allow such
repurchase.
A sale of all or substantially all of our assets will result in
a change of control. The term all or substantially
all as used in the definition of a change of control,
however, will likely be interpreted under applicable state law
and will be dependent upon particular facts and circumstances.
As a result, there may
13
be uncertainty as to whether a sale assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposal is of all or
substantially all of our assets, and thus whether a change
of control has occurred.
The occurrence of a change of control event will also result in
an event of default under Lamar Medias bank credit
facility and, therefore, the lenders thereunder will have the
right to require repayment in full of all outstanding borrowings
under the facility, which totaled $1.2 billion as of
March 31, 2007, before any repurchase of the new notes. We
will not, therefore, be able to effect a repurchase of the new
notes upon a change of control event unless we repay all of the
outstanding borrowings under the bank credit facility or obtain
the consent of the lenders thereunder.
We may
enter into transactions that could substantially increase our
outstanding indebtedness or otherwise adversely affect holders
of the new notes that would not constitute a change of
control.
We are not prevented from entering into many types of
transactions that may adversely affect holders of the new notes,
including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations.
Only certain defined occurrences will constitute change of
control events that obligate us to offer to repurchase the new
notes. Permitted transactions could increase our outstanding
indebtedness, change our capital structure, adversely affect our
credit ratings or otherwise adversely affect holders of the new
notes.
We
expect that the trading value of the new notes will be
significantly affected by the price of our Class A common
stock and other factors.
The market price of the new notes is expected to be
significantly affected by the market price of our Class A
common stock. This may result in greater volatility in the
trading value of the new notes than would be expected for
nonconvertible debt securities. The market price of our
Class A common stock may be volatile and, therefore, the
trading price of the new notes may fluctuate significantly.
Fluctuations in the stock price of our Class A common stock
may result from a variety of factors, which are discussed in
this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by
reference, some of which are beyond our control.
The
conditional conversion feature of the new notes could result in
your receiving less than the value of our Class A common
stock underlying your new notes.
The new notes are convertible into cash, shares of our
Class A common stock or a combination thereof, at our
option, only if certain conditions for conversion are met. If
these conditions are not met, you will not be able to convert
your new notes, and you may not be able to receive the value of
the cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a
combination thereof, into which the new notes would otherwise be
convertible.
Upon
conversion of the new notes, we may pay cash in lieu of issuing
shares of our Class A common stock. Therefore, holders may
receive no shares of our Class A common stock or fewer
shares than the number into which their outstanding notes are
convertible.
We have the right to satisfy our conversion obligation to
holders by issuing shares of our Class A common stock into
which the new notes are convertible, the cash value of the
shares of our Class A common stock into which the new notes
are convertible, or a combination thereof. In addition, we have
the right to irrevocably elect to satisfy our conversion
obligation in cash with respect to the principal amount of the
new notes to be converted after the date of such election.
Accordingly, upon conversion of a new note, a holder may not
receive any shares of our Class A common stock, or it might
receive fewer shares of our Class A common stock relative
to the conversion value of the new note.
Upon
conversion of the new notes, holders may receive less proceeds
than expected because the value of our Class A common stock
may decline after such holders exercise their conversion
right.
A converting holder will be exposed to fluctuations in the value
of our Class A common stock during the period from the date
such holder tenders new notes for conversion until the date we
settle our conversion obligation. Under the new notes, if we
elect to settle all or any portion of our conversion
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obligation in cash or if we make a cash payment of principal
upon conversion, the conversion value that a holder will receive
upon conversion of its new notes will be in part determined by
the last reported sales prices of our Class A common stock
for each trading day in a
20-day
trading period. As described under Description of the New
Notes Conversion Settlement, this period
begins after the date on which a holders new notes are
tendered for conversion. Accordingly, if the price of our
Class A common stock decreases during this period, the
conversion value holders receive may be adversely affected.
The
new notes are not protected by restrictive
covenants.
The indenture governing the new notes does not contain any
financial or operating covenants or restrictions on the payments
of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or
repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries. The
indenture contains no covenants to afford protection to holders
of the new notes in the event of a fundamental change involving
us, other than the conversion rate adjustments described under
Description of the New Notes Conversion
Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments.
The
conversion rate of the new notes may not be adjusted for all
dilutive events.
The conversion rate of the new notes is subject to adjustment
for certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance
of stock dividends on our Class A common stock, the
issuance of rights or warrants, subdivisions, combinations,
distributions of capital stock, indebtedness or assets, certain
cash dividends and certain tender or exchange offers as
described under Description of the New Notes
Conversion Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments.
The conversion rate will not be adjusted for other events, such
as an issuance of common stock for cash, that may adversely
affect the trading price of the new notes or the Class A
common stock. There can be no assurance that an event that
adversely affects the value of the new notes, but does not
result in an adjustment to the conversion rate, will not occur.
If we
adjust the conversion rate, you may have to pay taxes with
respect to amounts that you may not receive.
The conversion rate of the new notes is subject to adjustment
for certain events arising from stock splits and combinations,
stock dividends, certain cash dividends, certain fundamental
changes and certain other actions by us that modify our capital
structure. See Description of the New Notes
Conversion Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments.
If the conversion rate is adjusted, you may be required to
include an amount in income for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, notwithstanding the fact that you may not actually
receive any distribution. If the conversion rate is increased at
our discretion or in certain other circumstances, such increase
also may be deemed to be the payment of a taxable distribution
to you, notwithstanding the fact that you may not receive a cash
payment. See Material United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations Tax Consequences to Tendering
U.S. Holders Conversion Rate Adjustments.
Conversion
of the new notes may dilute the ownership interest of existing
stockholders, including holders who had previously converted
their new notes.
Upon conversion of the new notes, we will deliver cash, shares
of Class A common stock or a combination thereof at our
option. If we issue shares of Class A common stock upon
conversion of the new notes, the conversion of some or all of
the new notes will dilute the ownership interests of existing
stockholders. Any sales in the public market of the Class A
common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely
affect prevailing market prices of our Class A common
stock. In addition, the existence of the new notes may encourage
short selling by market participants because the conversion of
the new notes could depress the price of our Class A common
stock.
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If you
hold new notes, you will not be entitled to any rights with
respect to our Class A common stock, but you will be
subject to all changes made with respect to our Class A
common stock.
If you hold new notes, you will not be entitled to any rights
with respect to our Class A common stock (including,
without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any
dividends or other distributions on our Class A common
stock), but you will be subject to all changes affecting the
Class A common stock. You will have rights with respect to
our Class A common stock only if, when and to the extent we
deliver shares of Class A common stock to you upon
conversion of your new notes and, in limited cases, under the
conversion rate adjustments applicable to the new notes. For
example, in the event that an amendment is proposed to our
certificate of incorporation or by-laws requiring stockholder
approval and the record date for determining the stockholders of
record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to
delivery of Class A common stock to you, you will not be
entitled to vote on the amendment, although you will
nevertheless be subject to any changes in the powers,
preferences or special rights of our Class A common stock.
The
additional shares of Class A common stock payable on new
notes converted in connection with certain fundamental change
transactions may not adequately compensate you for any lost
option time value of your new notes as a result of such
fundamental change transactions.
If a fundamental change occurs at any time after the date of
issuance of the new notes, we will increase the conversion rate
on new notes converted in connection with such fundamental
change transaction by a number of additional shares of our
Class A common stock. The number of such additional shares
of Class A common stock will be determined based on the
date on which the fundamental change transaction becomes
effective and the price paid per share of our Class A
common stock in the fundamental change transaction as described
below under Description of the New Notes
Conversion Rate Adjustments Make Whole Upon
Fundamental Change.
While the increase in the conversion rate upon conversion is
designed to compensate you for any lost option time value of
your new notes as a result of such fundamental change
transactions, such increase is only an approximation of such
lost value and may not adequately compensate you for such loss.
In addition, if the price paid per share of our Class A
common stock in the fundamental change transaction is less than
the Class A common stock price at the date of issuance,
there will be no such increase in the conversion rate.
The
repurchase rights in the new notes triggered by a change of
control and the increase to the conversion rate triggered by a
fundamental change could discourage a potential
acquirer.
The repurchase rights in the new notes triggered by a change of
control, as described under the heading Description of the
New Notes Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a
Change of Control, and the increase to the conversion rate
triggered by a fundamental change, as described under the
heading Description of the New Notes Make
Whole Upon Fundamental Change, could discourage a
potential acquirer. The term change of control is
limited to specified transactions and may not include other
events that might adversely affect our financial condition or
business operations. Our obligation to offer to repurchase the
new notes upon a change of control would not necessarily afford
you protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction,
reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us.
You
may not receive any shares of Class A common stock upon
conversion of your new notes, which may mean that you will not
receive the benefit of any appreciation in the price of our
Class A common stock after the date of conversion, and
conversion of the new notes will result in a recognition of gain
for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
You will not have the right to receive shares of our
Class A common stock upon conversion of the new notes.
Instead, you will receive cash or, at our option, a combination
of cash and shares of our Class A common stock as described
under Description of the New Notes. To the extent
that you receive a cash payment in lieu of our Class A
common stock upon a conversion, you will not have the benefits
of stock
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ownership, including the ability to participate in the
appreciation in value of our Class A common stock. In that
event, if you wish to own our Class A common stock upon
conversion, you will have to purchase the stock in the open
market. The price you pay in the open market may be greater than
the per share equivalent value you receive from us. This
difference could be greater if holders of a substantial number
of new notes convert at the same time and then wish to acquire
our stock at the same time.
Conversion of the outstanding notes into shares of our
Class A common stock would not result in the recognition of
gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but conversion
of the new notes will result in the recognition of gain for
U.S. federal income tax purposes if we elect to satisfy all
or a portion of our conversion obligations in cash.
Consequently, you will be required to pay tax on any gain on the
new notes to the extent you receive cash sooner than if you had
converted your outstanding notes into shares of Class A
common stock and held the Class A common stock.
Risks
Related to Our Business and Operations
Our
revenues are sensitive to general economic conditions and other
external events beyond our control.
We sell advertising space on outdoor structures to generate
revenues. Advertising spending is particularly sensitive to
changes in general economic conditions, and the occurrence of
any of the following external events could depress our revenues:
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a decline in general economic conditions, which could reduce
national advertising spending disproportionately;
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a decline in economic conditions in specific geographical
markets, which could reduce local advertising spending in those
particular markets disproportionately;
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a widespread reallocation of advertising expenditures to other
available media by significant users of our displays;
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a decline in the amount spent on advertising in general or
outdoor advertising in particular; and
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increased regulation of the subject matter, location or
operation of outdoor advertising displays and taxation on
outdoor advertising.
|
Our
continued growth through acquisitions may become more difficult,
which could adversely affect our future financial
performance.
Over the last 10 years, the outdoor advertising industry
has experienced a wave of consolidation, in part due to the
regulatory restrictions on building new outdoor advertising
structures. We have been a major participant in this trend,
using acquisitions of outdoor advertising businesses and assets
as a means of increasing our advertising display inventory in
existing and new markets. Although we currently anticipate a
reduction in acquisition activity from about $228 million
in 2006 to between $150 million in 2007, acquisitions will
remain an important component of our future revenue growth.
The future success of our acquisition strategy could be
adversely affected by many factors, including the following:
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the pool of suitable acquisition candidates is dwindling, and we
may have a more difficult time negotiating acquisitions on
favorable terms because the pool of suitable acquisition
candidates is dwindling;
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|
we may face increased competition for acquisition candidates
from other outdoor advertising companies, some of which have
greater financial resources than we do, which may result in
higher prices for those businesses and assets;
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we may not have access to the capital needed to finance
potential acquisitions and may be unable to obtain any required
consents from our current lenders to obtain alternate financing;
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17
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we may be unable to integrate acquired businesses and assets
effectively with our existing operations and systems as a result
of unforeseen difficulties that could divert significant time,
attention and effort from management that could otherwise be
directed at developing existing business;
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we may be unable to retain key personnel of acquired businesses;
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we may not realize the benefits and cost savings anticipated in
our acquisitions; and
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we, and other companies engaged in larger mergers and
acquisitions, may face substantial scrutiny under antitrust laws
as the industry consolidates further.
|
These obstacles to our opportunistic acquisition strategy may
have an adverse effect on our future financial results.
We
face competition from larger and more diversified outdoor
advertisers and other forms of advertising that could hurt our
performance.
While we enjoy a significant market share in many of our small
and medium-sized markets, we face competition from other outdoor
advertisers and other media in all of our markets. Although we
are one of the largest companies focusing exclusively on outdoor
advertising in a relatively fragmented industry, we compete
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.
We also compete 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, we also face 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. We may
be unable to compete successfully along these dimensions in the
future, and the competitive pressures that we face could
adversely affect our profitability or financial performance.
We
currently have two primary suppliers of the LED digital displays
for our digital billboards. If they cannot meet our requirements
for these displays in the future, it could adversely affect our
digital deployment.
Our inventory of digital billboards increased to approximately
390 units in operation at March 31, 2007 and we intend
to expand our digital deployment in the future based on customer
and market demand. We currently have two primary suppliers of
the LED digital displays used in our digital billboards (Young
Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and Daktronics, Inc.). Any
inability of these suppliers to produce additional displays,
including due to increased demand from us or others, could
adversely affect our ability to deploy additional digital units
and service existing units. Although to date these suppliers
have been able to increase capacity in order to meet our
requirements, we cannot assure you that they will be able to
continue to meet our requirements in the future and a shortage
of these displays could adversely affect our ability to fulfill
customers orders and our results of operations.
Federal,
state and local regulation impact our 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.
18
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
owners 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 changes 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.
Our
logo sign contracts are subject to state award and
renewal.
In 2006, we generated approximately 4% of our revenues from
state-awarded logo sign contracts. In bidding for these
contracts, we compete with 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 our 19 logo sign contracts in place at March 31, 2007,
one is subject to renewal in 2007. We may be unable to renew our
expiring contracts. We may also lose the bidding on new
contracts.
19
We are
a wholly owned subsidiary of Lamar Advertising which is
controlled by significant stockholders who have the power to
determine the outcome of all matters submitted to the
stockholders for approval and whose interests may be different
than yours.
As of March 31, 2007, members of the Reilly family,
including Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., Lamar Advertisings
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Sean Reilly, Lamar
Advertisings and our Chief Operating Officer and President
of Lamar Advertisings Outdoor Division, owned in the
aggregate approximately 16% of Lamar Advertisings common
stock, assuming the conversion of all Class B common stock
to Class A common stock. As of that date, their combined
holdings represented 65% of the voting power of Lamar
Advertisings capital stock, which would give the Reilly
family the power to:
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elect Lamar Advertisings entire board of directors;
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control Lamar Advertisings management and
policies; and
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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.
If our
contingency plans relating to hurricanes fail, the resulting
losses could hurt our business.
We have determined that it is uneconomical to insure against
losses resulting from hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Although we have developed contingency plans designed to
mitigate the threat posed by hurricanes to advertising
structures (i.e., 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. The four hurricanes that
hit Florida in August and September of 2004 and the two
hurricanes that hit the gulf coast in 2005 resulted in revenue
losses of approximately $1.5 million in 2004 and
approximately $2.4 million in 2005 and required capital
expenditures of approximately $8 million in 2004 and
approximately $20 million in 2005.
20
USE OF
PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the exchange offer.
Outstanding notes that are validly tendered and exchanged
pursuant to the exchange offer will be canceled.
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth Lamar Advertisings ratio of
earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.
For purposes of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings is defined as net income (loss) before
income taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle and fixed charges. Fixed charges is
defined as the sum of interest expense, preferred stock
dividends and the component of rental expense that we believe to
be representative of the interest factor for those amounts.
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
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Three Months Ended
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Year Ended December 31,
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March 31,
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2006
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2007
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(Unaudited)
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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0.6
|
x
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|
0.6
|
x
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1.2
|
x
|
|
|
1.5
|
x
|
|
|
1.5
|
x
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1.1
|
x
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1.3x
|
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For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, earnings
were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $56.0 million
and $63.3 million, respectively.
PRICE
RANGE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
Our Class A common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global
Select Market under the symbol LAMR. The last
reported closing sales price of our Class A common stock on
the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $65.32 per share on
May 25, 2007. As of May 15, 2007, we had approximately
189 holders of record. The following table shows the high and
low bid prices per share of our Class A common stock for
the periods indicated.
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Price of Class A
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Common
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Stock
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High
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Low
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|
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Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2005:
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First Quarter
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$
|
43.98
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|
$
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37.62
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Second Quarter
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43.25
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|
|
|
36.63
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Third Quarter
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|
|
45.97
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|
|
|
39.24
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Fourth Quarter
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|
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48.15
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|
|
|
42.80
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|
|
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High
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Low
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2006:
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|
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First Quarter
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$
|
54.20
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|
$
|
44.99
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Second Quarter
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|
|
59.83
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|
|
|
49.90
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|
Third Quarter
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|
|
54.91
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|
|
|
46.91
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Four Quarter
|
|
|
66.42
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|
|
|
51.46
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2007:
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First Quarter
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$
|
71.54
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|
$
|
60.85
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21
DIVIDEND
POLICY
We paid a special cash dividend on our Class A common stock
on March 30, 2007, which was our first dividend on our
common stock since our inception. We currently do not intend to
pay additional cash dividends on our Class A common stock
in the foreseeable future but intend to retain all earnings, if
any, for use in our business operations or for financial
purposes. As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends is
dependent upon the ability of our subsidiaries to pay cash
dividends or to make other distributions to us. Lamar
Medias existing indentures and bank credit facility
restrict the amount of dividends that may be paid to us. Our
board of directors will determine future declaration and payment
of dividends, if any, in light of the then-current conditions,
including our earnings, operations, capital requirements,
financial condition, restrictions in financing agreements and
other factors that they deem relevant.
22
SELECTED
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table contains our selected historical
consolidated information and other operating data for the five
years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006,
and the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007. We have
prepared this information from audited financial statements for
the years ended December 31, 2002 through December 31,
2006 and from unaudited financial statements for the three
months ended March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007.
In our opinion, the information for the three months ended
March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007 reflects all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary to fairly present our results of operations and
financial condition. Results from interim periods should not be
considered indicative of results for any other periods or for
the year. This information is only a summary. You should read it
in conjunction with our historical financial statements and
related notes, as well as Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
incorporated herein by reference.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Three Months Ended
|
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|
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Year Ended December 31,
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March 31,
|
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|
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2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
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|
2005
|
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|
2006
|
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2006
|
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2007
|
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(dollars in thousands)
|
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(Unaudited)
|
|
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Statement of operations
data:
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|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
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Net revenues
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$
|
775,682
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|
|
$
|
810,139
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$
|
883,510
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|
|
$
|
1,021,656
|
|
|
$
|
1,120,091
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|
|
$
|
253,333
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|
|
$
|
275,185
|
|
Operating expenses:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Direct advertising expenses
|
|
|
274,772
|
|
|
|
292,017
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|
|
|
302,157
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|
|
|
353,139
|
|
|
|
390,561
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|
|
|
95,209
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|
|
|
100,783
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General and administrative expenses
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|
|
167,182
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|
|
|
171,520
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|
|
|
188,320
|
|
|
|
212,727
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|
|
|
248,937
|
|
|
|
59,291
|
|
|
|
69,874
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|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
271,832
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|
|
|
284,947
|
|
|
|
294,056
|
|
|
|
290,089
|
|
|
|
301,685
|
|
|
|
73,178
|
|
|
|
73,318
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|
Gain on disposition of assets
|
|
|
(336
|
)
|
|
|
(1,946
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)
|
|
|
(1,067
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)
|
|
|
(1,119
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)
|
|
|
(10,862
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)
|
|
|
(1,678
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)
|
|
|
(312
|
)
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
713,450
|
|
|
|
746,538
|
|
|
|
783,466
|
|
|
|
854,836
|
|
|
|
930,321
|
|
|
|
226,000
|
|
|
|
243,663
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|
Operating income
|
|
|
62,232
|
|
|
|
63,601
|
|
|
|
100,044
|
|
|
|
166,820
|
|
|
|
189,770
|
|
|
|
27,333
|
|
|
|
31,522
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
112,404
|
|
|
|
93,285
|
|
|
|
75,584
|
|
|
|
89,160
|
|
|
|
111,644
|
|
|
|
24,616
|
|
|
|
31,352
|
|
Gain on disposition of investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,448
|
)
|
Loss on debt extinguishment
|
|
|
5,850
|
|
|
|
33,644
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,982
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
|
|
|
(56,022
|
)
|
|
|
(63,328
|
)
|
|
|
24,460
|
|
|
|
73,678
|
|
|
|
78,126
|
|
|
|
2,717
|
|
|
|
15,618
|
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
(19,694
|
)
|
|
|
(23,573
|
)
|
|
|
11,305
|
|
|
|
31,899
|
|
|
|
34,227
|
|
|
|
1,177
|
|
|
|
6,779
|
|
Cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,240
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
|
(36,328
|
)
|
|
|
(79,995
|
)
|
|
|
13,155
|
|
|
|
41,779
|
|
|
|
43,899
|
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
|
|
8,839
|
|
Other data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$
|
328,214
|
|
|
$
|
274,664
|
|
|
$
|
394,100
|
|
|
$
|
452,927
|
|
|
$
|
491,455
|
|
|
$
|
100,511
|
|
|
$
|
120,288
|
|
EBITDA margin(2)
|
|
|
42
|
%
|
|
|
34
|
%
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
Ratio of EBITDA to interest
expense, net(3)
|
|
|
2.9
|
x
|
|
|
2.9
|
x
|
|
|
5.2
|
x
|
|
|
5.1
|
x
|
|
|
4.4
|
x
|
|
|
4.1
|
x
|
|
|
3.8x
|
|
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA(4)
|
|
|
6.1
|
x
|
|
|
6.2
|
x
|
|
|
4.2
|
x
|
|
|
3.5
|
x
|
|
|
4.1
|
x
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
240,443
|
|
|
|
260,075
|
|
|
|
323,164
|
|
|
|
347,257
|
|
|
|
364,517
|
|
|
|
34,921
|
|
|
|
33,352
|
|
Cash flows used in investing
activities
|
|
|
(155,763
|
)
|
|
|
(210,041
|
)
|
|
|
(263,747
|
)
|
|
|
(267,970
|
)
|
|
|
(438,896
|
)
|
|
|
(111,771
|
)
|
|
|
(81,218
|
)
|
Cash flows provided by (used in)
financing activities
|
|
|
(81,955
|
)
|
|
|
(57,847
|
)
|
|
|
(23,013
|
)
|
|
|
(104,069
|
)
|
|
|
66,973
|
|
|
|
64,570
|
|
|
|
36,333
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
As of March 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Balance sheet data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
15,610
|
|
|
$
|
7,797
|
|
|
$
|
44,201
|
|
|
$
|
19,419
|
|
|
$
|
11,796
|
|
|
$
|
7,139
|
|
|
$
|
279
|
|
Cash deposit for debt extinguishment
|
|
|
266,657
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital
|
|
|
95,922
|
|
|
|
69,902
|
|
|
|
34,476
|
|
|
|
93,816
|
|
|
|
119,791
|
|
|
|
127,870
|
|
|
|
126,619
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
3,888,168
|
|
|
|
3,669,514
|
|
|
|
3,692,282
|
|
|
|
3,741,234
|
|
|
|
3,924,228
|
|
|
|
3,780,481
|
|
|
|
3,942,389
|
|
Long term debt (including current
maturities)
|
|
|
1,994,433
|
|
|
|
1,704,863
|
|
|
|
1,659,934
|
|
|
|
1,576,326
|
|
|
|
1,990,468
|
|
|
|
1,732,530
|
|
|
|
2,472,440
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
1,709,173
|
|
|
|
1,689,661
|
|
|
|
1,736,347
|
|
|
|
1,817,482
|
|
|
|
1,538,533
|
|
|
|
1,731,718
|
|
|
|
1,107,082
|
|
Book value per share of common
stock(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.287
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
EBITDA is defined as earnings (loss) before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization. EBITDA represents a measure that
we believe is customarily used by investors and analysts to
evaluate the financial performance of companies in the media
industry. Our management also believes that EBITDA is useful in
evaluating our core operating results. However, EBITDA is not a
measure of financial performance under accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America and should
not be considered an alternative to operating income or net
income as an indicator of our operating performance or to net
cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our
liquidity. Because EBITDA is not calculated identically by all
companies, the presentation in this prospectus may not be
comparable to those disclosed by other companies. In addition,
the definition of EBITDA in this section differs from the
definition of EBITDA applicable to the covenants for Lamar
Medias senior subordinated notes. |
|
|
|
Below is a table that reconciles EBITDA to net income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Statement of operations
data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
328,214
|
|
|
$
|
274,664
|
|
|
$
|
394,100
|
|
|
$
|
452,927
|
|
|
$
|
491,455
|
|
|
$
|
100,511
|
|
|
$
|
120,288
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
271,832
|
|
|
|
284,947
|
|
|
|
294,056
|
|
|
|
290,089
|
|
|
|
301,685
|
|
|
|
73,178
|
|
|
|
73,318
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
112,404
|
|
|
|
93,285
|
|
|
|
75,584
|
|
|
|
89,160
|
|
|
|
111,644
|
|
|
|
24,616
|
|
|
|
31,352
|
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
(19,694
|
)
|
|
|
(23,573
|
)
|
|
|
11,305
|
|
|
|
31,899
|
|
|
|
34,227
|
|
|
|
1,177
|
|
|
|
6,779
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(36,328
|
)
|
|
$
|
(79,995
|
)
|
|
$
|
13,155
|
|
|
$
|
41,779
|
|
|
$
|
43,899
|
|
|
$
|
1,540
|
|
|
$
|
8,839
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by net revenues. |
|
(3) |
|
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense is defined as EBITDA divided
by net interest expense. |
|
(4) |
|
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA is defined as total debt divided
by EBITDA. |
|
(5) |
|
Book value per share of common stock was determined based on
total stockholders equity divided by Class A and
Class B common stock issued and outstanding as of
March 31, 2007. |
24
THE
EXCHANGE OFFER
Securities
Subject to the Exchange Offer
We are offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of
transmittal, to exchange $1,000 principal amount of new notes
and an exchange fee of $2.50 for each $1,000 principal amount of
validly tendered and accepted outstanding notes. We are offering
to exchange all of the outstanding notes. However, the exchange
offer is subject to the conditions described in this prospectus
and the accompanying letter of transmittal.
You may tender all, some or none of your outstanding notes,
subject to the terms and conditions of the exchange offer.
Holders of outstanding notes must tender their outstanding notes
in a minimum principal amount of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
We, our officers and directors, the dealer-manager, the
information agent, the exchange agent and the trustee do not
make any recommendation to you as to whether to tender or
refrain from tendering all or any portion of your outstanding
notes. In addition, we have not authorized anyone to make any
recommendation. You must make your own decision whether to
tender your outstanding notes for exchange and, if so, the
amount of outstanding notes to tender.
Conditions
to the Exchange Offer
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this exchange offer, we
will not be required to accept for exchange any outstanding
notes tendered, and we may terminate or amend this offer, if at
any time before acceptance for exchange any of the following
events or circumstances shall have occurred (or shall have been
determined by us to have occurred) and, in our reasonable
judgment and regardless of the circumstances giving rise to the
event or circumstance, the event or circumstance makes it
inadvisable to proceed with the offer or with the acceptance for
exchange or exchange and issuance of the new notes:
(i) Any action or event shall have occurred, failed to
occur or been threatened, any action shall have been taken, or
any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, stay, decree or
injunction shall have been promulgated, enacted, entered,
enforced or deemed applicable to the exchange offer, by or
before any court or governmental, regulatory or administrative
agency, authority or tribunal, which either:
|
|
|
|
|
challenges the making of the exchange offer or the exchange of
outstanding notes under the exchange offer or might, directly or
indirectly, prohibit, prevent, restrict or delay consummation
of, or might otherwise adversely affect in any material manner,
the exchange offer or the exchange of outstanding notes under
the exchange offer, or
|
|
|
|
in our reasonable judgment could materially adversely affect the
business, condition (financial or otherwise), income,
operations, properties, assets, liabilities or prospects of
Lamar Advertising Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or would be material to holders of outstanding notes in
deciding whether to accept the exchange offer.
|
(ii) (a) Trading generally shall have been suspended
or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, either of
the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market,
(b) there shall have been any suspension or limitation of
trading of any securities of Lamar Advertising Company on any
exchange or in the
over-the-counter
market, (c) a general banking moratorium shall have been
declared by Federal or New York authorities or (d) there
shall have occurred any material disruption of bank operations,
settlements of securities or clearance services in the United
States.
(iii) The trustee with respect to the outstanding notes
shall have objected in any respect to, or taken any action that
could in our reasonable judgment adversely affect the
consummation of the exchange offer, or the trustee or any holder
of outstanding notes shall have taken any action that challenges
the validity or effectiveness of the procedures used by us in
making the exchange offer or the exchange of the outstanding
notes under the exchange offer.
25
(iv) The registration statement and any post-effective
amendment to the registration statement covering the new notes
is not effective under the Securities Act.
All of the foregoing conditions are for our sole benefit and may
be waived by us in our sole discretion. Any determination that
we make concerning an event, development or circumstance
described or referred to above shall be conclusive and binding.
If any of the foregoing conditions are not satisfied, we may, at
any time before the expiration of the exchange offer:
(i) terminate the exchange offer and return all tendered
outstanding notes to the holders thereof;
(ii) modify, extend or otherwise amend the exchange offer
and retain all tendered outstanding notes until the expiration
date, as it may be extended, subject, however, to the withdrawal
rights of holders (see Expiration Date;
Extensions; Amendments, Proper Execution
and Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and
Withdrawal of Tenders below); or
(iii) waive the unsatisfied conditions and accept all
outstanding notes tendered and not previously withdrawn.
Except for the requirements of applicable U.S. federal and
state securities laws, we know of no federal or state regulatory
requirements to be complied with or approvals to be obtained by
us in connection with the exchange offer which, if not complied
with or obtained, would have a material adverse effect on us.
Expiration
Date; Extensions; Amendments
For purposes of the exchange offer, the term expiration
date shall mean midnight, New York City time, on June 27,
2007, subject to our right to extend such date and time for the
exchange offer in our sole discretion, in which case, the
expiration date shall mean the latest date and time to which the
exchange offer is extended.
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to (1) extend
the exchange offer, (2) terminate the exchange offer upon
failure to satisfy any of the conditions listed above or
(3) amend the exchange offer, by giving oral (promptly
confirmed in writing) or written notice of such extension,
termination or amendment to the exchange agent. Any such
extension, termination or amendment will be followed promptly by
a public announcement thereof which, in the case of an
extension, will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the next business day after the previously
scheduled expiration date.
If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine
constitutes a material or significant change, we will extend the
exchange offer for a period of five to ten business days,
depending upon the significance of the amendment, if the
exchange offer would otherwise have expired during such five to
ten business day period. Any change in the consideration offered
to holders of outstanding notes in the exchange offer will be
paid to all holders whose outstanding notes have previously been
tendered pursuant to the exchange offer. In addition, if we
change (1) the percentage of outstanding notes we are
offering to exchange or (2) the amount of the exchange fee,
we will extend the exchange offer for a period of ten business
days from the date that the revised exchange offer materials are
disseminated to holders of the outstanding notes.
Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make a
public announcement of any delay, extension, amendment or
termination of the exchange offer, we will comply with
applicable securities laws by disclosing any such amendment by
means of a prospectus supplement that we distribute to the
holders of the outstanding notes. We will have no other
obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any
such public announcement other than by making a timely release
to any appropriate news agency, including Bloomberg Business
News and the Dow Jones News Service.
Any valid tender by a holder of outstanding notes that is not
validly withdrawn prior to the expiration date of the exchange
offer will constitute a binding agreement between that holder
and us upon
26
the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer
and the letter of transmittal. The acceptance of the exchange
offer by a tendering holder of outstanding notes will constitute
the agreement by that holder to deliver good and marketable
title to the tendered outstanding notes, free and clear of all
liens, charges, claims, encumbrances, interests and restrictions
of any kind.
Absence
of Dissenters Rights
Holders of the outstanding notes do not have any appraisal or
dissenters rights under applicable law in connection with
the exchange offer.
Acceptance
of Outstanding Notes for Exchange
The new notes will be delivered in book-entry form on the
settlement date, which we anticipate will be promptly following
the expiration date of the exchange offer, after giving effect
to any extensions.
We will be deemed to have accepted validly tendered outstanding
notes when, and if, we have given oral notice (promptly
confirmed in writing) or written notice thereof to the exchange
agent. Subject to the terms and conditions of the exchange
offer, the issuance of new notes will be recorded in book-entry
form by the exchange agent on the exchange date upon receipt of
such notice. The exchange agent will act as agent for tendering
holders of the outstanding notes for the purpose of receiving
book-entry transfers of outstanding notes in the exchange
agents account at DTC. If any validly tendered outstanding
notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and
conditions of the exchange offer, including if outstanding notes
are validly withdrawn, such withdrawn outstanding notes will be
returned without expense to the tendering holder or such
outstanding notes will be credited to an account maintained at
DTC designated by the DTC participant who so delivered such
outstanding notes, in either case, promptly after the expiration
or termination of the exchange offer.
Procedures
for Exchange
If you hold outstanding notes and wish to have such securities
exchanged for new notes, you must validly tender, or cause the
valid tender of, your outstanding notes using the procedures
described in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of
transmittal.
Only registered holders of outstanding notes are authorized to
tender the outstanding notes. The procedures by which you may
tender or cause to be tendered outstanding notes will depend
upon the manner in which the outstanding notes are held, as
described below.
Tender
of Outstanding Notes Held Through a Bank, Broker or Other
Nominee
If you are a beneficial owner of outstanding notes that are held
of record by a custodian bank, depositary, broker, trust company
or other nominee, and you wish to tender outstanding notes in
the exchange offer, you should contact the record holder
promptly and instruct the record holder to tender the
outstanding notes on your behalf using one of the procedures
described below.
Tender
of Outstanding Notes Through DTC
Pursuant to authority granted by DTC, if you are a DTC
participant that has outstanding notes credited to your DTC
account and thereby held of record by DTCs nominee, you
may directly tender your outstanding notes as if you were the
record holder. Because of this, references herein to registered
or record holders include DTC participants with outstanding
notes credited to their accounts. If you are not a DTC
participant, you may tender your outstanding notes by book-entry
transfer by contacting your broker or opening an account with a
DTC participant.
Within two business days after the date of this prospectus, the
exchange agent will establish accounts with respect to the
outstanding notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer.
Subject to the establishment of the accounts, any DTC
participant may make book-entry delivery of outstanding notes by
causing DTC to transfer such outstanding notes into the exchange
agents account in accordance with DTCs
27
procedures for such transfer. However, although delivery of
outstanding notes may be effected through book-entry transfer
into the exchange agents account at DTC, the letter of
transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile of the letter of
transmittal) with any required signature guarantees, or an
agents message in connection with a book-entry
transfer, and any other required documents, must, in any case,
be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent, in each
case, prior to the expiration date. Delivery of tendered
outstanding notes must be made to the exchange agent pursuant to
the book-entry delivery procedures set forth below or the
tendering DTC participant must comply with the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth below.
Any participant in DTC may tender outstanding notes by:
(i) effecting a book-entry transfer of the outstanding
notes to be tendered in the exchange offer into the account of
the exchange agent at DTC by electronically transmitting its
acceptance of the exchange offer through DTCs Automated
Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, procedures for transfer; if ATOP
procedures are followed, DTC will then verify the acceptance,
execute a book-entry delivery to the exchange agents
account at DTC and send an agents message to the exchange
agent. An agents message is a message,
transmitted by DTC to and received by the exchange agent and
forming part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC
has received an express acknowledgment from a DTC participant
tendering outstanding notes that the participant has received
and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal
and makes each of the representations and warrants contained in
the letter of transmittal and that Lamar Advertising Company may
enforce the agreement against the participant. DTC participants
following this procedure should allow sufficient time for
completion of the ATOP procedures prior to the expiration date
of the exchange offer;
(ii) completing and signing the letter of transmittal
according to the instructions and delivering it, together with
any signature guarantees and other required documents, to the
exchange agent at its address on the back cover page of this
prospectus; or
(iii) complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below.
With respect to option (i) above, the exchange agent and
DTC have confirmed that the exchange offer is eligible for ATOP.
In addition, in order for a tender of outstanding notes to be
effective, the exchange agent must receive, prior to the
expiration date, a timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of
the outstanding notes being tendered into the exchange
agents account at DTC, along with the letter of
transmittal or an agents message. If you desire to tender
your outstanding notes and cannot complete the procedures for
book-entry transfer on a timely basis, you may still tender your
outstanding notes if you comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
The letter of transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any
required signature guarantees and other required documents, or
(in the case of book-entry transfer) an agents message in
lieu of the letter of transmittal, must be transmitted to and
received by the exchange agent prior to the expiration date of
the exchange offer at one of its addresses set forth on the back
cover page of this prospectus. Delivery of such documents to DTC
does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.
Letter
of Transmittal
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange and
exchange of new notes for outstanding notes tendered by a letter
of transmittal, by executing and delivering a letter of
transmittal (or agreeing to the terms of a letter of transmittal
pursuant to an agents message), a tendering holder of
outstanding notes:
|
|
|
|
|
irrevocably sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of
Lamar Advertising Company all right, title and interest in and
to, and all claims in respect of or arising or having arisen as
a result of the holders status as a holder of the
outstanding notes tendered thereby;
|
|
|
|
waives any and all rights with respect to the outstanding notes
tendered thereby;
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
releases and discharges Lamar Advertising Company and the
trustee with respect to the outstanding notes from any and all
claims such holder may have, now or in the future, arising out
of or related to the outstanding notes tendered thereby;
|
|
|
|
represents and warrants that the outstanding notes tendered were
owned as of the date of tender, free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances and are not subject to
any adverse claim or right;
|
|
|
|
designates an account number of a DTC participant in which the
new notes are to be credited; and
|
|
|
|
irrevocably appoints the exchange agent the true and lawful
agent and
attorney-in-fact
of the holder with respect to any tendered outstanding notes,
with full powers of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to
cause the outstanding notes tendered to be assigned, transferred
and exchanged in the exchange offer.
|
Proper
Execution and Delivery of Letter of Transmittal
If you wish to participate in the exchange offer, delivery of
your outstanding notes, signature guarantees and other required
documents is your responsibility. Delivery is not complete until
the required items are actually received by the exchange agent.
If you mail these items, we recommend that you (1) use
registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured,
and (2) mail the required items sufficiently in advance of
the expiration date with respect to the exchange offer to allow
sufficient time to ensure timely delivery.
Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on a letter
of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by a
recognized participant in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program, the NYSE Medallion Signature Program or the
Stock Exchange Medallion Program. Signatures on a letter of
transmittal need not be guaranteed if:
|
|
|
|
|
the letter of transmittal is signed by a participant in DTC
whose name appears on a security position listing of DTC as the
owner of the outstanding notes and the holder has not completed
the portion entitled Special Issuance and Payment
Instructions on the letter of transmittal; or
|
|
|
|
the outstanding notes are tendered for the account of an
Eligible Guarantor Institution. See Instruction 3 in the
letter of transmittal.
|
Withdrawal
of Tenders
Tenders of outstanding notes in connection with the exchange
offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration date
of the exchange offer, but you must withdraw all of your
outstanding notes previously tendered. Tenders of outstanding
notes may not be withdrawn at any time after such date unless
the exchange offer is extended, in which case tenders of
outstanding notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
expiration date, as extended.
Beneficial owners desiring to withdraw outstanding notes
previously tendered should contact the DTC participant through
which such beneficial owners hold their outstanding notes. In
order to withdraw outstanding notes previously tendered, a DTC
participant may, prior to the expiration date of the exchange
offer, withdraw its instruction previously transmitted through
ATOP by (1) withdrawing its acceptance through ATOP or
(2) delivering to the exchange agent by mail, hand delivery
or facsimile transmission, notice of withdrawal of such
instruction. The notice of withdrawal must contain the name and
number of the DTC participant. The method of notification is at
the risk and election of the holder and must be timely received
by the exchange agent. Withdrawal of a prior instruction will be
effective upon receipt of the notice of withdrawal by the
exchange agent. All signatures on a notice of withdrawal must be
guaranteed by a recognized participant in the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the NYSE Medallion Signature
Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program. However,
signatures on the notice of withdrawal need not be guaranteed if
the outstanding notes being withdrawn are held for the account
of an Eligible Guarantor Institution. A withdrawal of an
instruction must be executed by a DTC participant in
29
the same manner as such DTC participants name appears on
its transmission through ATOP to which such withdrawal relates.
A DTC participant may withdraw a tender only if such withdrawal
complies with the provisions described in this paragraph.
Withdrawals of tenders of outstanding notes may not be rescinded
and any outstanding notes withdrawn will thereafter be deemed
not validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer.
Properly withdrawn outstanding notes, however, may be retendered
by following the procedures described above at any time prior to
the expiration date of the exchange offer.
Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures
If you desire to tender your outstanding notes and you cannot
complete the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth above
on a timely basis, you may still tender your outstanding notes
if:
|
|
|
|
|
your tender is made through an eligible institution;
|
|
|
|
prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent received from
the eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed
letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of such letter of
transmittal or an electronic confirmation pursuant to DTCs
ATOP system and notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in
the form provided by us, by facsimile transmission, mail or hand
delivery, that:
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
sets forth the name and address of the holder of the outstanding
notes tendered;
|
|
|
(2)
|
states that the tender is being made thereby; and
|
|
|
(3)
|
guarantees that within three New York Stock Exchange trading
days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery a book-entry confirmation and any other documents
required by the letter of transmittal, if any, will be deposited
by the eligible institution with the exchange agent; and
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book-entry confirmation and all other documents, if any,
required by the letter of transmittal are received by the
exchange agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery.
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Miscellaneous
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including
time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of
outstanding notes in connection with the exchange offer will be
determined by us, in our sole discretion, and our determination
will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to
reject any and all tenders not in proper form or the acceptance
for exchange of which may, in the opinion of our counsel, be
unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defect
or irregularity in the tender of any outstanding notes in the
exchange offer, and the interpretation by us of the terms and
conditions of the exchange offer (including the instructions in
the letter of transmittal) will be final and binding on all
parties, provided that we will not waive any condition to the
offer with respect to an individual holder of outstanding notes
unless we waive that condition for all such holders. None of
Lamar Advertising Company, the exchange agent, the information
agent, the dealer-manager or any other person will be under any
duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in
tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification.
Tenders of outstanding notes involving any irregularities will
not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have
been cured or waived. Outstanding notes received by the exchange
agent in connection with the exchange offer that are not validly
tendered and as to which the irregularities have not been cured
or waived will be returned by the exchange agent to the DTC
participant who delivered such outstanding notes by crediting an
account maintained at DTC designated by such DTC participant
promptly after the expiration date of the exchange offer or the
withdrawal or termination of the exchange offer.
30
Transfer
Taxes
Holders tendering outstanding notes will be responsible for all
transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer and exchange
of outstanding notes to us in the exchange offer. In addition to
the possibility of a transfer tax on the exchange, transfer
taxes could be imposed in the following circumstances:
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if new notes in book-entry form are to be registered in the name
of any person other than the person signing the letter of
transmittal; or
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if tendered outstanding notes are registered in the name of any
person other than the person signing the letter of transmittal.
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If satisfactory evidence of payment of or exemption from those
transfer taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal,
the amount of those transfer taxes will be billed directly to
the tendering holder
and/or
withheld from any payments due with respect to the outstanding
notes tendered by such holder.
Exchange
Agent
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. has been appointed the
exchange agent for the exchange offer. Letters of transmittal,
notices of guaranteed delivery and all correspondence in
connection with the exchange offer should be sent or delivered
by each holder of outstanding notes, or a beneficial
owners custodian bank, depositary, broker, trust company
or other nominee, to the exchange agent at the address set forth
on the back cover page of this prospectus. We will pay the
exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services
and will reimburse it for its reasonable,
out-of-pocket
expenses in connection therewith.
From time to time, the exchange agent and its affiliates have
provided, and may in the future provide, investment banking,
commercial banking, financial advisory and other services to us
and our affiliates for which services they have received, and
may in the future receive, customary fees and other
compensation. We have a bank credit facility with a syndicate of
lenders that includes an affiliate of the exchange agent. The
exchange agent and its affiliates may from time to time engage
in future transactions with us and our affiliates and provide
services to us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of
their business.
An affiliate of the exchange agent, in the ordinary course of
business, also makes markets in our securities, including the
outstanding notes. As a result, from time to time, BNY Capital
Markets, Inc. may own certain of our securities, including the
outstanding notes.
Information
Agent
The Altman Group has been appointed as the information agent for
the exchange offer, and will receive customary compensation for
its services. Questions concerning tender procedures and
requests for additional copies of this prospectus, the letter of
transmittal or the notice of guaranteed delivery should be
directed to the information agent at the address set forth on
the back cover page of this prospectus. Holders of outstanding
notes may also contact their custodian bank, depositary, broker,
trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the
exchange offer.
Dealer-Manager
We have retained Wachovia Securities to act as dealer-manager in
connection with the exchange offer.
We will pay the dealer-manager customary fees for its services
in connection with the exchange offer and will also reimburse
the dealer-manager for certain
out-of-pocket
expenses, including certain fees and expenses of its legal
counsel incurred in connection with the exchange offer. The
dealer-managers fee will be calculated based on the
principal amount of outstanding notes tendered. The obligations
of the dealer-manager are subject to certain conditions. We have
agreed to indemnify the dealer-manager against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities
laws, or to contribute to payments that the
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dealer-manager may be required to make in respect thereof.
Questions regarding the terms of the exchange offer may be
directed to the dealer-manager at the address set forth on the
back cover page of this prospectus.
From time to time, the dealer-manager and its affiliates have
provided, and may in the future provide, investment banking,
commercial banking, financial advisory and other services to us
and our affiliates for which services they have received, and
may in the future receive, customary fees and other
compensation. We have a bank credit facility with a syndicate of
lenders that includes an affiliate of the dealer-manager.
The dealer-manager, in the ordinary course of business, also
makes markets in our securities, including the outstanding
notes. As a result, from time to time, Wachovia Securities may
own certain of our securities, including the outstanding notes.
Other
Fees and Expenses
Tendering holders of outstanding notes will not be required to
pay any expenses of soliciting tenders in the exchange offer,
including any fee or commission to the dealer-manager. However,
if a tendering holder handles the transaction through its
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
institution, such holder may be required to pay brokerage fees
or commissions.
The principal solicitation is being made by mail. However,
additional solicitations may be made by telegraph, facsimile
transmission, telephone or in person by the dealer-manager and
the information agent, as well as by officers and other
employees of Lamar Advertising Company and its affiliates.
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DESCRIPTION
OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS
The following is a description of our material indebtedness,
other than the outstanding notes. The following summaries are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the credit and
security agreements and indentures to which each summary
relates, which are incorporated by reference into the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Bank
Credit Facility
The bank credit facility of Lamar Media, our direct wholly owned
subsidiary, for which JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as
administrative agent, consists of a $400.0 million
revolving bank credit facility, a $400.0 million term
facility (the Term Loan), a $500.0 million
incremental loan facility and an additional $789.0 million
in incremental term loans.
Incremental
Term Loans
In February 2006, Lamar Media and one of its subsidiaries
entered into a Series A Incremental Loan Agreement and
borrowed $37.0 million under the incremental loan facility
(the Series A Incremental Loan). On
October 5, 2006, Lamar Media entered into a Series B
Incremental Loan Agreement and borrowed an additional
$150.0 million under the incremental loan facility (the
Series B Incremental Loan).
In December 2006, Lamar Media and one of its subsidiaries
entered into a Series C Incremental Loan Agreement and
borrowed $20.0 million under the incremental loan facility
(the Series C Incremental Loan), and in January
2007 Lamar Media and one of its subsidiaries entered into a
Series D Incremental Loan Agreement and borrowed an
additional $7.0 million under the incremental loan facility
(the Series D Incremental Loan).
In March 2007, Lamar Media entered into (i) a Series E
Incremental Loan Agreement pursuant to which it borrowed
$250.0 million under the incremental loan facility (the
Series E Incremental Loan) and (ii) a
Series F Incremental Loan Agreement pursuant to which it
borrowed $325.0 million under the incremental loan facility
(the Series F Incremental Loan).
In connection with the borrowing of incremental loans, Lamar
Media has from time to time entered into amendments to its bank
credit facility to, among other things, restore the amount of
the incremental loan facility to $500.0 million (which,
under its original terms, would have been reduced by the
issuance of the Series A, Series B, Series C,
Series D, Series E and Series F Incremental
Loans).
Our lenders have no obligation to make additional loans to us
out of the $500.0 million remaining under our incremental
loan facility, but may enter into such commitments at their sole
discretion.
Reductions
in Commitments; Amortization
The Term Loan and the Series A, Series B,
Series C and Series D Incremental Loans will begin
amortizing on December 31, 2007 in quarterly installments
paid on each December 31, March 31, June 30 and
September 30 as follows (dollars in thousands):
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Term Loan
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Series A
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Series B
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Series C
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Series D
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December 31, 2007
September 30, 2009
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$
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5,000
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$
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463
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$
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1,875
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$
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250
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$
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88
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December 31, 2009
September 30, 2011
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15,000
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1,388
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5,625
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750
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263
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December 31, 2011
September 30, 2012
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60,000
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5,550
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22,500
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3,000
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1,050
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The Series E Incremental Loans will begin amortizing on
June 30, 2009 in quarterly installments paid on each
June 30, September 30, December 31 and
March 31 as follows (dollars in thousands):
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Principal Payment
Date
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Principal Amount
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June 30, 2009
March 31, 2010
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$
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3,125
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June 30, 2010
March 31, 2011
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$
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6,250
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June 30, 2011
March 31, 2012
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$
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9,375
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June 30, 2012
March 31, 2013
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$
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43,750
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The Series F Incremental Loans will begin amortizing on
June 30, 2009 in quarterly installments paid on each
June 30, September 30, December 31, and
March 31 as follows (dollars in thousands):
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Principal Payment
Date
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Principal Amount
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June 30, 2009
December 31, 2013
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$
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812.5
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March 31, 2014
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$
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309,562.5
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The revolving bank credit facility, the Term Loan and the
Series A, Series B, Series C and Series D
Incremental Loans will mature on September 28, 2012. The
Series E Incremental Loans will mature on March 31,
2013, and the Series F Incremental Loans will mature on
March 31, 2014.
Interest
Interest on borrowings under the facilities is calculated, at
our option, at a rate equal to either of the following plus the
applicable spread above such rate:
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with respect to base rate borrowings, the Adjusted Base
Rate which is equal to the higher of the rate publicly
announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime lending rate
and the applicable federal funds rate, plus 0.5%; or
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with respect to eurodollar rate borrowings, the rate at which
eurodollar deposits for one, two, three or six months (as
selected by us), or nine or twelve months with the consent of
the lenders, are quoted on the Dow Jones Telerate Screen
multiplied by the statutory reserve rate (determined based on
maximum reserve percentages established by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of
America).
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The spread applicable to borrowings under the revolving bank
credit facility and Term Loan is determined by reference to our
trailing leverage ratio (total debt to trailing four fiscal
quarter EBITDA, as defined in the bank credit facility, see
Covenants below). Based on our trailing
leverage ratio at March 31, 2007, the spread applicable to
borrowings under the revolving credit facility, the Term Loan
and the Series A, Series B, Series C,
Series D and Series E Incremental Loans is 0% for base
rate loans and 1% for eurodollar loans. The spread applicable to
borrowings under the Series F Incremental Loans is 0.5% for
base rate loans and 1.50% for eurodollar loans.
Guarantees;
Security
The obligations under the bank credit facility are guaranteed by
all of our restricted subsidiaries (which includes all of our
existing domestic subsidiaries, except Missouri Logos, a
Partnership). The guarantees are secured by a pledge of all of
the capital stock of those subsidiaries.
Covenants
Under the terms of the bank credit facility, Lamar Media and its
restricted subsidiaries are not permitted to incur any
additional indebtedness over $150 million at any one time
outstanding except:
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indebtedness created by the bank credit facility;
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indebtedness in respect of notes issued by Lamar Media so long
as no default exists at the time of the issuance or would result
from the issuance and the terms of Lamar Medias senior
subordinated notes comply with certain conditions;
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existing indebtedness or any extension, renewal, refunding or
replacement of any existing indebtedness or indebtedness
incurred by the issuance of notes as referred to in the bullet
above; and
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indebtedness of Lamar Media to any wholly owned subsidiary and
indebtedness of any wholly owned subsidiary to Lamar Media.
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The bank credit facility also places certain restrictions upon
the ability of Lamar Media and its restricted subsidiaries to,
among other things:
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incur liens or guarantee obligations;
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pay dividends and make other distributions (including
distributions to us) during the continuance of a default;
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make investments and enter into joint ventures or hedging
agreements;
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dispose of assets; and
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engage in transactions with affiliates except on an arms-length
basis.
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Under the bank credit facility, Lamar Media and its restricted
subsidiaries cannot exceed a total debt ratio, defined as total
consolidated debt to EBITDA, as defined below, for the most
recent four fiscal quarters, of 6.00 to 1.
The bank credit facility also requires Lamar Media and its
restricted subsidiaries to maintain a fixed charges coverage
ratio, defined as the ratio of EBITDA, as defined below, for the
most recent four fiscal quarters to (1) the total payments
of principal and interest on debt for that period, plus
(2) capital expenditures made during that period, plus
(3) income and franchise tax payments made during that
period, plus (4) dividends, distributions and payments of
principal or interest to us, of greater than 1.05 to 1.
As defined under the bank credit facility, EBITDA is, for any
period, operating income for Lamar Media and its restricted
subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis without
duplication in accordance with GAAP) for such period (calculated
before taxes, interest expense, interest in respect of mirror
loan indebtedness, depreciation, amortization and any other
non-cash income or charges accrued for such period and (except
to the extent received or paid in cash by any of our restricted
subsidiaries) income or loss attributable to equity in
affiliates for such period) excluding any extraordinary and
unusual gains or losses during such period, and excluding the
proceeds of any casualty events whereby insurance or other
proceeds are received and certain dispositions not in the
ordinary course. Any dividend payment made to us by any of our
restricted subsidiaries during any period to enable us to pay
certain qualified expenses on our subsidiaries behalf shall be
treated as an operating expenses for the purposes of calculating
EBITDA for such period. EBITDA under the bank credit facility is
also adjusted to reflect certain acquisitions or dispositions as
if such acquisitions or dispositions were made on the first day
of such period if and to the extent such operating expenses
would be deducted in the calculation of EBITDA if funded by any
of our restricted subsidiaries.
EBITDA under the bank credit facility is also adjusted to
reflect certain acquisitions or dispositions as if such
acquisitions or dispositions were made on the first day of such
period.
Change of
Control
A change of control of Lamar Media constitutes an event of
default, permitting the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness
and terminate the bank credit facility. A change in control
would occur if:
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Lamar Media ceases to be our wholly owned subsidiary;
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Charles W. Lamar, III or Kevin P. Reilly, Sr. and
their immediate family (including grandchildren) and entities
under their control no longer hold sufficient voting stock of
Lamar Advertising to elect at all times a majority of its board
of directors;
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anyone other than the holders specified in the preceding bullet
acquire shares of Lamar Advertising representing more than 20%
of the ordinary voting power or acquire control of Lamar
Advertising; or
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a majority of the seats on Lamar Advertisings board is
occupied by persons who were neither nominated by the board of
directors of Lamar Advertising nor appointed by directors so
nominated.
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65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 2015 Series B
On August 17, 2006, Lamar Media issued $216.0 million
aggregate principal amount of
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2015 Series B under an
indenture among Lamar Media, as issuer, certain of our
subsidiaries and The Bank of New York Trust Company N.A., as
trustee. The
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2015 Series B are a
separate class of securities from and do not trade fungibly with
the
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2015 that we issued on August 16,
2005, which are described below.
These notes are senior subordinated unsecured obligations, which
are subordinated to indebtedness under the bank credit facility
and Lamar Medias other senior indebtedness and pari
passu in right of payment with our existing
71/4% senior
subordinated notes due 2013 and
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2015. These notes rank senior to all of
Lamar Medias other existing and future subordinated
indebtedness. These notes bear interest at
65/8% per
annum, payable twice a year on each February 15 and
August 15.
Lamar Media may redeem these notes, in whole or in part, at any
time on or after August 15, 2010. If a redemption occurs
before August 15, 2013, Lamar Media will pay a premium on
the principal amount of the notes redeemed. This premium
decreases annually from approximately 3.3% for a redemption on
or after August 15, 2010, to approximately 1.1% for a
redemption on or after August 15, 2012 and is phased out
completely on August 15, 2013.
Lamar Medias obligations under these notes are guaranteed
by all of our domestic subsidiaries, except Missouri Logos, a
Partnership. The guarantees under these notes are subordinated
in right of payment to the guarantees under Lamar Medias
bank credit facility.
The holders of these notes may force Lamar Media to immediately
repay the principal on these notes, including interest to the
acceleration date, if, among other things, Lamar Media fails to
make payments that result in an acceleration on other
indebtedness under which at least $20 million is
outstanding.
The indenture places certain restrictions upon the ability of
our subsidiaries, to, among other things:
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incur additional indebtedness;
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issue preferred stock;
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pay dividends or make other distributions or redeem capital
stock;
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incur liens or guarantee obligations;
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dispose of assets; and
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engage in transactions with affiliates except on an arms
length basis.
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Upon a change of control (as defined in the
indenture), Lamar Media will be obligated to offer to purchase
all of the outstanding notes at a purchase price of 101% of the
principal amount plus accrued interest, if any. In addition, if
Lamar Media sells certain assets, it will be obligated to offer
to purchase outstanding notes with the proceeds of the asset
sale at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount plus
accrued interest, if any.
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 2015
On August 16, 2005, Lamar Media issued $400.0 million
in aggregate principal amount of
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2015 under an indenture among Lamar
Media, as issuer, certain of its subsidiaries
36
and The Bank of New York Trust Company N.A., as trustee. These
notes are senior subordinated unsecured obligations, which are
subordinated to indebtedness under the bank credit facility and
Lamar Medias other senior indebtedness and pari passu
in right of payment with its existing
71/4% senior
subordinated notes due 2013 and
65/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2015 Series B.
These notes rank senior to all of Lamar Medias other
existing and future subordinated indebtedness. These notes bear
interest at
65/8% per
annum, payable twice a year on each February 15 and
August 15.
Lamar Media may redeem these notes, in whole or in part, at any
time on or after August 15, 2010. If a redemption occurs
before August 15, 2013, Lamar Media will pay a premium on
the principal amount of the notes redeemed. This premium
decreases annually from approximately 3.3% for a redemption on
or after August 15, 2010, to approximately 1.1% for a
redemption on or after August 15, 2012 and is phased out
completely on August 15, 2013.
Lamar Medias obligations under these notes are guaranteed
by all of its domestic subsidiaries, except Missouri Logos, a
Partnership. The guarantees under these notes are subordinated
in right of payment to the guarantees under the bank credit
facility.
The holders of these notes may force Lamar Media to immediately
repay the principal on these notes, including interest to the
acceleration date, if, among other things, we fail to make
payments that result in an acceleration on other indebtedness
under which at least $20 million is outstanding.
The indenture places certain restrictions upon the ability of
our subsidiaries to, among other things:
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incur additional indebtedness;
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issue preferred stock;
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pay dividends or make other distributions or redeem capital
stock;
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incur liens or guarantee obligations;
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dispose of assets; and
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engage in transactions with affiliates except on an arms
length basis.
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Upon a change of control (as defined in the
indenture), Lamar Media will be obligated to offer to purchase
all of the outstanding notes at a purchase price of 101% of the
principal amount plus accrued interest, if any. In addition, if
we sell certain assets, we will be obligated to offer to
purchase outstanding notes with the proceeds of the asset sale
at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued
interest, if any.
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 2013
On December 23, 2002 and June 12, 2003, Lamar Media
issued $385 million in aggregate principal amount of
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 under an indenture among Lamar
Media, as issuer, certain of its subsidiaries and The Bank of
New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. These notes are senior
subordinated unsecured obligations, which are subordinated to
indebtedness under the bank credit facility and Lamar
Medias other senior indebtedness and pari passu in
right of payment with its
65/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2015 and its
65/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 Series B.
These notes rank senior to all of Lamar Medias other
existing and future subordinated indebtedness. These notes bear
interest at
71/4% per
annum, payable twice a year on each January 1 and
July 1.
Lamar Media may redeem these notes, in whole or in part, at any
time on or after January 1, 2008. If a redemption occurs
before January 1, 2011, Lamar Media will pay a premium on
the principal amount of the notes redeemed. This premium
decreases annually from approximately 3.6% for a redemption on
or after January 1, 2008, to approximately 1.2% for a
redemption on or after January 1, 2010 and is phased out
completely on January 1, 2011.
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Lamar Medias obligations under these notes are guaranteed
by all of its domestic subsidiaries, except Missouri Logos, a
Partnership. The guarantees under these notes are subordinated
in right of payment to the guarantees under Lamar Medias
bank credit facility.
The holders of these notes may force Lamar Media to immediately
repay the principal on these notes, including interest to the
acceleration date, if, among other things, Lamar Media fails to
make payments on other indebtedness under which it has at least
$10 million outstanding.
The indenture places certain restrictions upon the ability of
our subsidiaries, to, among other things:
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incur additional indebtedness;
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issue preferred stock;
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pay dividends or make other distributions or redeem capital
stock;
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incur liens or guarantee obligations;
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dispose of assets; and
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engage in transactions with affiliates except on an arms
length basis.
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Upon a change of control (as defined in the
indenture), Lamar Media will be obligated to offer to purchase
all of the outstanding notes at a purchase price of 101% of the
principal amount plus accrued interest, if any. In addition, if
Lamar Media sells certain assets, Lamar Media will be obligated
to offer to purchase outstanding notes with the proceeds of the
asset sale at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount
plus accrued interest, if any.
38
DESCRIPTION
OF THE NEW NOTES
The new notes will be issued under the indenture to be entered
into between the Company and The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A., as trustee and conversion agent. The following description
summarizes certain terms and provisions of the new notes and the
indenture into which we will enter in connection with this
exchange offer, does not purport to be complete and is subject
to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the actual
terms and provisions of the new notes and the indenture. A copy
of the form of indenture has been filed with the SEC as part of
our registration statement. See Where You Can Find More
Information in the accompanying prospectus for information
on how to obtain a copy.
The new notes will have an aggregate principal amount of up to
$287,500,000, mature on December 31, 2010 and bear interest
at
27/8% per
annum.
The new notes:
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will be issued in U.S. dollars in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000;
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represent our unsecured and unsubordinated debt, and will rank
on a parity with each other and with our other unsecured and
unsubordinated debt;
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will be effectively subordinated to all present and future debt
and obligations of Lamar Media Corp. and its subsidiaries;
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are subject to our repurchase at the option of the holders, as
described below under Repurchase at Option of
Holders Upon a Change of Control; and
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will not have a sinking fund.
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Holders may convert their new notes prior to maturity based on
an initial conversion rate of 20.4518 shares per each
$1,000 principal amount of new notes, which represents an
initial conversion price of approximately $48.90, only if
certain conditions for conversion are satisfied. See
Conversion Rights. The initial
conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of
the events (including any fundamental change) described below
under Conversion Rate Adjustments.
We will pay interest on June 30 and December 31 of
each year, beginning June 30, 2007, to record holders at
the close of business on the preceding June 15 and
December 15, as the case may be, except interest payable
upon repurchase will be paid to the person to whom principal is
payable, unless the repurchase date is an interest payment date.
We will maintain an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York, for the payment of interest, which shall initially
be an office or agency of the trustee. We may pay interest
either:
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by check mailed to your address as it appears in the note
register, provided that if you are a holder with an aggregate
principal amount in excess of $2.0 million, you shall be
paid, at your written election, by wire transfer in immediately
available funds; or
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by transfer to an account maintained by you in the United States.
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However, payments to The Depository Trust Company, New York, New
York, which we refer to as DTC, will be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the account of DTC or its
nominee. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year
composed of twelve
30-day
months.
Conversion
Rights
General
Holders may convert any portion of the principal amount of a new
note that is an integral multiple of $1,000 (that has not
previously been repurchased), until the close of business on the
business day immediately preceding the maturity date based on an
initial conversion rate of 20.4518 shares of Class A
common stock per $1,000 principal amount of new notes (which
represents an initial conversion price of approximately
$48.90 per share) only if one or more of the conditions for
conversion described below
39
under Conversion Based on Class A Common
Stock Price; Conversion Based on Trading
Price of New Notes; Conversion Upon
Occurrence of Specified Corporate Transactions; or
Conversion at Maturity are satisfied.
Holders who convert will receive shares of Class A common
stock, cash or a combination thereof as described below under
Conversion Settlement. The conversion
rate per $1,000 principal amount of new notes in effect at any
given time is referred to in this prospectus as the
conversion rate and will be subject to
adjustment as described below under Conversion
Rate Adjustments. The conversion price
per share of Class A common stock as of any given time
is equal to $1,000 divided by the conversion rate.
If you have submitted your new notes for repurchase upon a
change of control, you may convert (to the extent that your
right to conversion has been triggered as described herein) your
new notes only if you withdraw your repurchase election as
described under Repurchase at Option of
Holders Upon a Change of Control. Our delivery of shares
of Class A common stock, cash or a combination thereof to
the holder will be deemed to satisfy our obligation with respect
to the new notes tendered for conversion and our obligation to
pay:
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the principal amount of the new note; and
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accrued but unpaid interest attributable to the period from the
most recent interest payment date to the conversion date.
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Such new notes will cease to be outstanding, and all rights of
holders of such new notes will terminate except the right to
receive the conversion price. As a result, accrued but unpaid
interest to the conversion date is deemed to be paid in full
rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, if new notes are
converted within the period after a record date but before the
next succeeding interest payment date, the holders of such new
notes at the close of business on the record date will receive
interest payments on such new notes on the corresponding
interest payment date, notwithstanding that accrued but unpaid
interest attributable to the period from the most recent
interest payment date to the conversion date is deemed satisfied
upon conversion. Accordingly, a holder surrendering new notes
for conversion during that period must tender funds equal to the
amount of interest payable on the new notes so converted;
provided that no such payment need be made if (1) we have
specified a purchase date following a change of control or a
fundamental change that is during such period or (2) only
to the extent of overdue interest, if any overdue interest
exists at the time of conversion with respect to such new note.
The initial conversion rate for the new notes is
20.4518 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000
principal amount of new notes, subject to adjustment as
described below. Except as described above, you will not receive
any accrued interest or dividends upon conversion.
To convert your new note into shares of our Class A common
stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of our
Class A common stock, as the case may be, you must:
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complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of
the new note if certificated (or holders may obtain copies of
the required form of the conversion notice from the conversion
agent) or facsimile of the conversion notice and deliver this
notice to the conversion agent;
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if the new notes are in certificated form, surrender the new
note to the conversion agent;
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if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents;
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if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes; and
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if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next
interest payment date.
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The conversion date with respect to a note
means the date on which the holder complied with all
requirements under the indenture to convert such note.
40
The conversion agent will, on your behalf, convert the new notes
into the conversion consideration described below under
Conversion Settlement.
Upon surrender of a new note for conversion, the holder shall
deliver to us cash equal to the amount that we are required to
deduct and withhold under applicable law in connection with such
conversion; provided, however, that if the holder does not
deliver such cash, we may deduct and withhold from the
consideration otherwise deliverable to such holder the amount
required to be deducted and withheld under applicable law.
If a holder converts new notes and we elect to deliver shares of
Class A common stock, we will pay any documentary, stamp or
similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of Class A
common stock upon conversion, if any, unless the tax is due
because the holder requests the shares to be issued or delivered
to a person other than the holder, in which case the holder will
pay that tax prior to receipt of such Class A common stock.
Conversion
Settlement
Except to the extent we have irrevocably elected to make a cash
payment of principal upon conversion as described below, we may
elect to deliver either shares of our Class A common stock,
cash or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A
common stock in satisfaction of our obligations upon conversion
of the new notes.
Except to the extent we have irrevocably elected to make a cash
payment of principal upon conversion, we will inform the holders
whose new notes are to be converted (as provided below) through
the trustee of the method we choose to satisfy our obligation
upon conversion:
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in respect of new notes tendered for conversion during the
period beginning 10 trading days preceding the maturity date and
ending one trading day preceding the maturity date, 11 trading
days preceding the maturity date (if a holder has complied with
all the requirements under the indenture to convert new notes so
surrendered, the conversion date with respect to such new notes
shall be the maturity date); and
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in all other cases, no later than two trading days following the
conversion date.
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If we choose to satisfy any portion of our conversion obligation
by delivering cash, we will specify the amount to be satisfied
in cash as a percentage of the conversion obligation or as a
fixed dollar amount. We will treat all holders converting on the
same day in the same manner. We will not, however, have any
obligation to settle our conversion obligations arising on
different days in the same manner. That is, we may choose one
day to settle in shares of our Class A common stock and
choose on another day to settle in cash or a combination of cash
and shares of our Class A common stock.
If we elect to settle our conversion obligation in shares of our
Class A common stock only, the settlement will occur as
soon as reasonably practicable after the third trading day
following the conversion date. If we elect to settle in cash or
a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common
stock, the settlement will occur on the third trading day
following the final trading day of the conversion period (as
defined below).
The settlement amount will be computed as follows:
(1) If we elect to satisfy the entire conversion obligation
in Class A common stock, we will deliver to the holder for
each $1,000 principal amount of new notes converted a number of
shares of our Class A common stock equal to the conversion
rate then in effect (plus cash in lieu of fractional shares, if
applicable).
(2) If we elect to satisfy the entire conversion obligation
in cash, we will deliver to the holder for each $1,000 principal
amount of new notes converted in cash an amount equal to the
conversion value.
41
(3) If we elect to satisfy the conversion obligation in a
combination of cash and Class A common stock, we will
deliver to the holder for each $1,000 principal amount of new
notes:
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the sum of, for all days in the conversion period, a fixed
amount in cash per $1,000 principal amount of new notes
specified by us divided by 20 or an amount in cash
representing the percentage that we elect of the daily
conversion value amount (in each case, the specified cash
amount), and
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a number of whole shares (plus cash in lieu of fractional
shares) per $1,000 principal amount of new notes to be converted
equal to the sum of the daily share amounts for all of the
trading days in the conversion period.
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The conversion value for each $1,000
principal amount of new notes is equal to the sum of the daily
conversion value amounts, as defined below, for all of the
trading days in the conversion period.
The conversion period means the 20
consecutive
trading-day
period commencing on the third trading day following the
conversion date.
The daily conversion value amount for each
$1,000 principal amount of new notes and each trading day in the
conversion period is the amount equal to the closing sale price
of our Class A common stock on such trading day multiplied
by the conversion rate in effect on such trading day divided by
20.
The daily share amount means, for each $1,000
principal amount of new notes and each trading day in the
conversion period, a number of shares (but in no event less than
zero) determined by the following formula:
daily conversion value amount − specified cash amount
closing sale price of our shares of Class A common stock on
such trading day
The closing sale price of our Class A common
stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if
no closing sale price is reported, the average of the average
bid and the average asked prices) on that date as reported by
the NASDAQ Global Select Market or, if our Class A common
stock is not listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, as
reported in composite transactions for the principal
U.S. securities exchange on which our Class A common
stock is traded or as otherwise provided in the indenture.
Our
Right to Irrevocably Elect Cash Payment of Principal Upon
Conversion
At any time on or prior to the 11th trading day preceding
the maturity date, we may irrevocably elect to satisfy in cash
our conversion obligation with respect to the principal amount
of the new notes to be converted after the date of such
election, with any remaining amount to be satisfied in shares of
our Class A common stock. This election would be in our
sole discretion without the consent of the holders. If we make
this election, we will notify the trustee, the conversion agent
and the holders at their addresses shown in the registrar of the
registrar.
If we make such election, for each $1,000 principal amount of
new notes surrendered for conversion, holders will receive a
settlement amount computed as follows:
(1) where the conversion value is less than or equal to
$1,000, the settlement amount shall be an amount in cash equal
to such conversion value, or
(2) where the conversion value is greater than $1,000, the
settlement amount shall be computed as if we had elected to
settle a portion of our conversion obligation with a combination
of cash and Class A common stock as described under
clause (3) above with a specified cash amount equal to
$1,000.
Conversion
Based on Class A Common Stock Price
Holders may surrender new notes for conversion on any business
day in any calendar quarter commencing at any time after
September 30, 2007, but only during such calendar quarter,
if the closing
42
sale price of our Class A common stock for at least 20
trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending
on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is
more than 160% of the conversion price, which we refer to as the
conversion trigger price.
The initial conversion trigger price is approximately $78.23,
which is 160% of the initial conversion price per share of
Class A common stock. The foregoing conversion trigger
price assumes that no events have occurred that would require an
adjustment to the conversion rate.
The conversion agent will, on our behalf, determine at the
beginning of each calendar quarter commencing at any time after
September 30, 2007, whether the new notes are convertible
as a result of the price of our Class A common stock and
notify us and the trustee, to the extent the trustee is not also
serving as the conversion agent.
Conversion
Based on Trading Price of New Notes
Holders may also surrender new notes for conversion on any
business day during the five business day period after any five
consecutive trading day period in which the trading
price per $1,000 principal amount of new notes, as
determined following a request by a holder of new notes in
accordance with the procedures described below, for each day of
that period was less than 98% of the product of the closing sale
price of our Class A common stock and the then conversion
rate (referred to as the trading price condition).
For purposes of the foregoing, the trading price of
the new notes on any date of determination means the average of
the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the trustee for
$2,000,000 principal amount of the new notes at approximately
3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date
from three nationally recognized securities dealers we select;
provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained
by the trustee, but two such bids are obtained, then the average
of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can
reasonably be obtained by the trustee, that one bid shall be
used. If the trustee cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid
for $2,000,000 principal amount of the new notes from a
nationally recognized securities dealer, then the trading price
per $1,000 principal amount of new notes will be deemed to be
less than 98% of the product of the closing sale price of our
Class A common stock and the conversion rate.
In connection with any conversion upon satisfaction of the
trading price condition, the trustee shall have no obligation to
determine the trading price of the new notes unless we have
requested such determination; and we shall have no obligation to
make such request unless a holder of the new notes provides us
with reasonable evidence that the trading price per $1,000
principal amount of new notes would be less than 98% of the
product of the closing sale price of our Class A common
stock and the conversion rate. At such time, we shall instruct
the trustee to determine the trading price of the new notes
beginning on the next trading day and on each successive trading
day until the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of new
notes is greater than 98% of the product of the closing sale
price of our Class A common stock and the conversion rate.
Conversion
Upon Occurrence of Specified Corporate Transactions
Conversions
Upon Certain Distributions
If we elect to:
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distribute to all holders of our Class A common stock
certain rights entitling them to purchase, for a period expiring
within 45 days of the date of issuance, Class A common
stock, or securities convertible into Class A common stock,
at less than, or having a conversion price per share less than,
the closing sale price of our Class A common stock on the
trading day immediately preceding the declaration date for such
distribution; or
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distribute to all holders of our Class A common stock our
assets, cash, debt securities or certain rights to purchase our
securities, which distribution has a per share value as
determined by our
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board of directors exceeding 15% of the closing sale price of
our Class A common stock on the trading day immediately
preceding the declaration date for such distribution,
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we will notify the holders of new notes at least 20 days
prior to the ex-dividend date for such distribution. Once we
have given that notice, holders may surrender their new notes
for conversion at any time until the earlier of the close of
business on the business day prior to the ex-dividend date or
our announcement that such distribution will not take place. A
holder may not convert its new notes under this conversion
provision upon the above specified corporate transactions if the
holder will otherwise participate in such distribution. The
ex-dividend date is the first date upon which a sale
of the Class A common stock does not automatically transfer
the right to receive the relevant distribution from the seller
of the common stock to its buyer.
Conversions
Upon Specified Events
If we are party to any transaction or event other than a
fundamental change (including, but not limited to, any
consolidation, merger or binding share exchange that does not
constitute a fundamental change, but excluding changes resulting
from a subdivision or combination) pursuant to which all or
substantially all shares of our Class A common stock would
be converted into cash, securities or other property, a holder
may surrender new notes for conversion at any time from and
after the date that is 30 days prior to the anticipated
effective date of the transaction until the earlier of
30 days after the actual date of such transaction or the
date that we announce that such transaction will not take place.
We will notify holders of new notes, conversion agent and the
trustee as promptly as practicable following the date we
publicly announce such transaction (but in no event less than
30 days prior to the anticipated effective date of such
transaction).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, new notes will not become
convertible by reason of a merger, consolidation or other
transaction effected with one of our direct or indirect
subsidiaries for the purpose of changing our state of
incorporation to any other state within the United States or the
District of Columbia.
Conversion
Upon a Fundamental Change or Change of Control
We will notify the holders of new notes, conversion agent and
the trustee at least 30 days prior to the anticipated
effective date of (i) any fundamental change, as defined
below under Conversion Rate
Adjustments Make Whole Upon Fundamental
Change, or (ii) change of control, as defined below
under Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a
Change of Control that we know or reasonably should know
will occur (a fundamental change or change of control
conversion notice). Holders may surrender new notes for
conversion at any time beginning 30 days before the
anticipated effective date of a fundamental change or change of
control and until the trading day prior to the fundamental
change or change of control purchase date or the date that we
announce that such transaction will not take place. Our delivery
of the fundamental change or change of control conversion notice
will satisfy our obligation to deliver the notice regarding a
fundamental change or change of control required under
Conversion Rate Adjustments Make
Whole Upon Fundamental Change and
Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Change
of Control if it contains all the information that would
otherwise be required in an issuer fundamental change notice.
If a fundamental change occurs, we will adjust the conversion
rate for the new notes tendered for conversion in connection
with the fundamental change transaction, as described under
Conversion Rate Adjustments Make
Whole Upon Fundamental Change.
With respect to conversions upon specified events or upon a
fundamental change or change of control as described above, as
applicable, if we are a party to a consolidation, merger or
binding share exchange pursuant to which all shares of our
Class A common stock are exchanged for cash, securities or
other property, then commencing with the effective time of such
transaction any conversion of new notes and the conversion value
will be based on the kind and amount of cash, securities or
other property that a holder of new notes would have received if
such holder had converted its new notes into our Class A
common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the
transaction. For purposes of the foregoing,
44
where a consolidation, merger or binding share exchange involves
a transaction that causes our Class A common stock to be
converted into the right to receive more than a single type of
consideration based upon any form of shareholder election, such
consideration will be deemed to be the weighted average of the
amounts and types of consideration that the holders of our
Class A common stock who affirmatively made such an
election received in such transaction or as a result of such
event.
Conversion
at Maturity
Holders may surrender new notes for conversion at any time
beginning ten trading days before the maturity date and until
the close of business on the business day immediately preceding
the maturity date. If a holder has complied with all the
requirements under the indenture to convert new notes so
surrendered, the conversion date with respect to such new notes
shall be the maturity date.
Upon determining that the holders are or will be entitled to
convert their new notes in accordance with the foregoing
provisions, we will promptly issue a press release or otherwise
publicly disclose this information and use our reasonable
efforts to post such information on our website.
Conversion
Rate Adjustments
Except as otherwise provided in the case of a fundamental change
(as described in Make Whole Upon Fundamental
Change below) or a public acquirer fundamental change (as
described in Fundamental Change Involving a
Public Acquirer Fundamental Change below), as applicable,
the conversion rate is subject to adjustment in certain events
pursuant to specified formulas, including:
(1) The payment to all holders of Class A common stock
of a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of our
Class A common stock. If an increase to the conversion rate
is required to be made under this clause (1), the increase
will be based on the following formula:
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CR1
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=
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CR0
* (S + D) / S
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where:
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CR0
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=
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the conversion rate in effect
immediately before the adjustment relating to such event
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CR1
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=
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the new conversion rate taking
such event into account
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S
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=
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the number of shares of
Class A common stock outstanding at the close of business
on the date fixed for determining the stockholders entitled to
receive such dividend or other distribution
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D
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=
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the number of shares of
Class A common stock constituting such dividend or other
distribution
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(2) The issuance to all holders of Class A common
stock of rights, options or warrants entitling them for a period
of not more than 45 days to subscribe for or purchase
Class A common stock at a price per share less than the
then current market price; provided, however, that the
conversion rate
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will be readjusted to the extent that such rights are not
exercised before expiration. If an increase is required to be
made under this clause (2), the increase will be based on
the following formula:
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CR1
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=
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CR0
* (S + A) / (S + B)
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where:
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CR0
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=
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the conversion rate in effect
immediately before the adjustment relating to such event
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CR1
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=
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the new conversion rate taking
such event into account
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S
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=
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the number of shares of
Class A common stock outstanding at the close of business
on the date fixed for determining the stockholders entitled to
receive such rights, options or warrants
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A
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=
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the number of shares of
Class A common stock so offered for subscription or purchase
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B
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=
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the number of shares of
Class A common stock that the aggregate of the offering
price of all shares of Class A common stock so offered for
subscription or purchase would purchase at the current market
price
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(3) The subdivision, combination and reclassification of
Class A common stock. If an increase or decrease is
required to be made under this clause (3), a proportional
adjustment will be made to the conversion rate.
(4) The distribution to all holders of Class A common
stock of evidences of our indebtedness, securities, cash or
other assets (excluding any dividend or distribution covered by
clause (1) or (2) above, dividends and distributions
paid exclusively in cash covered by clause (5) below and
distributions upon special mergers or consolidations (as defined
below)); provided, however, that if we distribute capital stock
of, or similar equity interests in, a subsidiary or other
business unit of ours, the conversion rate will be adjusted
based on the market value of the securities so distributed
relative to the market value of our Class A common stock,
in each case based on the average closing sales prices of those
securities for the 10 trading days commencing on and including
the fifth trading day after the date on which ex-dividend
trading commences for such distribution on the Nasdaq
National Market or such other national or regional exchange or
market on which the securities are then listed or quoted. If an
adjustment is required to be made under this clause (4),
the adjustment will be based on the following formula:
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CR1
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=
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CR0
* A / (A − B)
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where:
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CR0
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=
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the conversion rate in effect
immediately before the adjustment relating to such event
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CR1
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=
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the new conversion rate taking
such event into account
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A
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=
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the current market price per share
of Class A common stock on the date fixed for determining
the stockholders entitled to such distribution
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B
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=
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the fair market value (as
determined by the Companys board of directors) of the
portion of such distribution applicable to one share of
Class A common stock
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If the fair market value of the portion of such distribution
applicable to one share of Class A common stock is equal to
or greater than the current market price per share of
Class A common stock on the date fixed for determining the
stockholders entitled to such distribution, then in lieu of the
foregoing adjustment, adequate provision will be made so that
each holder of new notes will have the right to receive upon
conversion the portion of such distribution such holder would
have received
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if had such holder converted each new note on the date fixed for
determination of the stockholders entitled to receive such
distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such distribution consists of
capital stock of, or similar equity interests in, a subsidiary
or other business unit of the Company, the conversion rate will
be subject to an adjustment based on the following formula:
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CR1
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=
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CR0
* (A + B) / A
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where:
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CR0
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=
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the conversion rate in effect
immediately before the adjustment relating to such event
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CR1
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=
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the new conversion rate taking
such event into account
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A
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=
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the average closing sale prices of
a share of Class A common stock for the 10 trading days
commencing on and including the fifth trading day after the date
on which ex-dividend trading commences for such
distribution on the Nasdaq National Market or such other
national or regional exchange or market on which the securities
are then listed or quoted
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B
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=
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the fair market value (as
determined by the Companys board of directors) over the
same period of the portion of such distribution applicable to
one share of Class A common stock
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(5) The distribution of cash (excluding any (i) cash
portion of distributions referred to in clause (4) above,
(ii) cash distributions upon special mergers or
consolidations (as defined below), or (iii) dividend or
distribution in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or
winding up). If an increase is required to be made under this
clause (5), the increase will be based on the following
formula:
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CR1
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=
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CR0
*
(SP0
+ C) / SP0
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where:
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CR0
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=
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the conversion rate in effect
immediately before the adjustment relating to such event
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CR1
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=
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the new conversion rate taking
such event into account
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SP0
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=
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the average of the closing sale
prices of the shares of Class A common stock for the 10
consecutive trading days before the business day immediately
preceding the earlier of the record date or the day before the
ex-dividend date for such distribution
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C
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=
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the amount in cash per share that
the Company distributes to holders of its shares of Class A
common stock in respect of such fiscal period.
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An adjustment to the conversion rate made pursuant to this
clause (5) shall become effective on the date immediately
after the date fixed for the determination of holders of shares
of common stock entitled to receive such dividend or
distribution. If any dividend or distribution described in this
clause (5) is declared but not so paid or made, the new
conversion rate shall be readjusted to the conversion rate that
would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not
been declared.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of an adjustment to
the conversion rate pursuant to clause (5), in no event
will the conversion rate exceed 28.6369 shares per $1,000
principal amount of new notes. The cap on the adjustment to the
conversion rate pursuant to this clause (5) remains subject
to adjustment pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (3) and
(4).
47
(6) The payment by us or one of our subsidiaries in respect
of a tender offer or exchange offer for our Class A common
stock which involves an aggregate consideration that, when
combined with (a) any cash and the fair market value of
other consideration payable in respect of any other tender offer
by us or any of our subsidiaries for the Class A common
stock concluded within the preceding 12 months in respect
of which no adjustment has been made and (b) the aggregate
amount of any all-cash distributions referred to in
clause (5) above to all holders of Class A common
stock made within the preceding 12 months in respect of
which no adjustments have been made, exceeds 10% of our
aggregate market capitalization on the date of expiration of
such tender offer. If an increase is required to be made under
this clause (6), the increase will be based on the
following formula:
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CR1
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=
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CR0
* (A + (B * C)) / (D * C)
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where:
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CR0
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=
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the conversion rate in effect
immediately before the adjustment relating to such event
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CR1
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=
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the new conversion rate taking
such event into account
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A
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=
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the fair market value (as
determined by the Companys board of directors) of the
aggregate consideration payable to stockholders based on
acceptance of all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not
withdrawn as of the expiration of such tender or exchange offer
(such shares are referred to herein as the purchased
shares)
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B
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=
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the number of shares of
Class A common stock outstanding at the expiration of such
tender or exchange offer, less the number of purchased shares
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C
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=
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the closing sale price of a share
of Class A common stock immediately after the expiration of
such tender or exchange offer
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D
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=
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the number of shares of
Class A common stock outstanding at the expiration of such
tender or exchange offer, including the number of purchased
shares
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To the extent that we have a rights plan in effect upon
conversion of the new notes into Class A common stock, you
will receive, in addition to the Class A common stock, cash
or a combination thereof, the rights under the rights plan
unless the rights have separated from the Class A common
stock at the time of conversion, in which case the conversion
rate will be adjusted as if we distributed to all holders of our
Class A common stock, shares of our capital stock,
evidences of indebtedness or assets as described above, subject
to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or
redemption of such rights.
In the event of:
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any reclassification of our Class A common stock;
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a consolidation, merger or combination involving us; or
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|
a sale or conveyance to another person or entity of all or
substantially all of our property and assets;
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in which holders of our Class A common stock would be
entitled to receive stock, other securities, other property,
assets or cash for their Class A common stock that does not
constitute a fundamental change (we refer to such an event as a
special merger or consolidation), then, upon
conversion of your new notes you will be entitled to receive the
same type of consideration that you would have been entitled to
receive if you had converted the new notes into our Class A
common stock immediately before any special merger or
consolidation.
If a transaction is a fundamental change, then in lieu of the
foregoing conversion rate adjustments we will either adjust the
conversion rate for new notes tendered for exchange in
connection with such transaction as described below under
Make Whole Upon Fundamental Change or
change the
48
conversion rights for the new notes as described below under
Fundamental Change Involving a Public Acquirer
Fundamental Change, as applicable. Thereafter, the
conversion rate will continue to be subject to adjustment
pursuant to the events and in the manner specified under
Conversion Rate Adjustments.
You may in certain situations be deemed to have received a
distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a
dividend in the event of any taxable distribution to holders of
Class A common stock or in certain other situations
requiring a conversion rate adjustment. See Material
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.
We may, from time to time, increase the conversion rate if our
board of directors has made a determination that this increase
would be in our best interests. Any such determination by our
board will be conclusive. In addition, we may increase the
conversion rate if our board of directors deems it advisable to
avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Class A
common stock resulting from any stock or rights distribution.
We will not be required to make an adjustment in the conversion
rate unless the adjustment would require a change of at least 1%
in the conversion rate. However, we will carry forward any
adjustments that are less than 1% of the conversion rate. Except
as described above, we will not adjust the conversion rate for
any issuance of our Class A common stock or convertible or
exchangeable securities or rights to purchase our Class A
common stock or convertible or exchangeable securities.
Make
Whole Upon Fundamental Change
If a fundamental change (as defined below) occurs and a holder
elects to convert its new notes in connection with such
fundamental change pursuant to the procedures described above
under Conversion Rights, we will
increase the conversion rate for the new notes surrendered for
conversion by a number of additional shares of Class A
common stock (the additional fundamental change
shares) as described below. A conversion of new notes
will be deemed for these purposes to be in connection
with such a fundamental change if the notice of conversion
of the new notes is received by the conversion agent from and
including the day that is 30 business days before the
anticipated effective date of the fundamental change up to and
including the trading day before the effective date of the
fundamental change.
The number of additional fundamental change shares will be
determined by reference to the table below and is based on the
date on which such fundamental change transaction becomes
effective (the effective date) and the price
(the stock price) paid per share of
Class A common stock in such transaction. If the holders of
shares of Class A common stock receive only cash in the
fundamental change transaction, the stock price shall be the
cash amount paid per share of Class A common stock.
Otherwise, the stock price shall be the average of the closing
sale prices of our shares of Class A common stock on the 10
consecutive trading days up to but excluding the effective date.
The stock prices set forth in the first row of the table
(i.e., the column headers) will be adjusted as of any
date on which the conversion rate of the new notes is adjusted.
The adjusted stock prices will equal the stock prices applicable
immediately before such adjustment multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the conversion rate immediately before the
adjustment giving rise to the stock price adjustment, and the
denominator of which is the conversion rate as so adjusted. In
addition, the number of additional fundamental change shares
will be subject to adjustment in the same manner as the
conversion rate as set forth above under
Conversion Rate Adjustments.
49
The following table sets forth the stock price and number of
additional fundamental change shares of the Company to be
received per $1,000 principal amount of new notes:
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Stock Price
|
Effective Date
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$34.92
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$40.00
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$45.00
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$50.00
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$55.00
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$60.00
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$65.00
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$70.00
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$80.00
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$90.00
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$100.00
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$110.00
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$120.00
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$130.00
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6/29/2007
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8.19
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4.55
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3.17
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2.35
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|
1.81
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|
|
1.45
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|
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1.21
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1.03
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0.80
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0.66
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0.56
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0.49
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0.43
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0.38
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12/31/2007
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8.19
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4.55
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|
3.01
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|
|
2.16
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|
|
1.62
|
|
|
|
1.27
|
|
|
|
1.04
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|
0.88
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|
|
|
0.68
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|
0.56
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|
|
0.48
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0.41
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|
0.36
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0.32
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|
6/30/2008
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8.19
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|
4.55
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2.85
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|
1.96
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|
1.42
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1.08
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0.87
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|
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0.72
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0.55
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0.46
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0.39
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|
0.34
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|
0.30
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0.26
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|
12/31/2008
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|
|
8.19
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|
|
|
4.55
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|
|
|
2.66
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|
|
|
1.74
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|
|
|
1.19
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|
|
|
0.87
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|
|
|
0.67
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|
|
|
0.55
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|
|
|
0.42
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|
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0.35
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0.30
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0.26
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0.23
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0.20
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6/30/2009
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|
8.19
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|
4.55
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|
|
|
2.45
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|
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1.48
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0.93
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0.63
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0.47
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0.38
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0.28
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|
0.24
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0.20
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0.18
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|
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0.16
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|
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0.14
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|
12/31/2009
|
|
|
8.19
|
|
|
|
4.55
|
|
|
|
2.21
|
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
|
0.36
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|
0.24
|
|
|
|
0.19
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|
|
0.14
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0.12
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0.11
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0.09
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0.08
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0.07
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|
6/30/2010
|
|
|
8.19
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|
4.55
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|
|
|
1.95
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0.75
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0.23
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|
|
0.05
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|
0.01
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|
|
|
0.01
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|
0.01
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|
0.00
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|
0.00
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0.00
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0.00
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0.00
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|
12/31/2010
|
|
|
8.19
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|
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|
4.55
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|
|
1.77
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0.00
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|
0.00
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0.00
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0.00
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
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0.00
|
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|
0.00
|
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|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
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|
0.00
|
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The exact stock prices and effective dates may not be set forth
in the table, in which case:
(1) if the stock price is between two stock price amounts
in the table or the effective date is between two dates in the
table, the additional fundamental change shares will be
determined by straight-line interpolation between the number of
additional fundamental change shares set forth for the higher
and lower stock price amounts and the two dates, as applicable,
based on a
365-day year;
(2) if the stock price is in excess of $130.00 per
share of Class A common stock (subject to adjustment), no
additional fundamental change shares will be issued upon
conversion; and
(3) if the stock price is less than $34.92 per share
of Class A common stock (subject to adjustment), no
additional fundamental change shares will be issued upon
conversion.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the conversion
rate exceed 28.6369 shares per $1,000 principal amount of
new notes. The cap on the adjustment to the conversion rate
pursuant to a fundamental change remains subject to adjustment
pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) above
under Conversion Rate Adjustments.
If the fundamental change is also a public acquirer
fundamental change, as described below, then, in lieu of
increasing the conversion rate as described above, we may elect
to change the conversion right in the manner described under
Fundamental Change Involving a Public Acquirer
Fundamental Change.
A fundamental change will be deemed to have
occurred at the time that any of the following occurs:
(A) consummation of any transaction or event (whether by
means of a share exchange or tender offer applicable to shares
of our voting stock, our liquidation, consolidation,
recapitalization, reclassification, combination or merger or a
sale, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of our
consolidated assets) or a series of related transactions or
events pursuant to which all of our outstanding shares of voting
stock are exchanged for, converted into or constitute solely the
right to receive cash, securities or other property; provided,
however, that none of the following transactions shall be deemed
to be a fundamental change: (i) a transaction in which the
holders of our voting stock immediately before such transaction
hold, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting
power in the aggregate of all our classes of shares of
beneficial interest then outstanding entitled to vote generally
in elections of directors immediately after such transaction;
(ii) a transaction that is effected solely to change our
jurisdiction of incorporation and results in a reclassification,
conversion or exchange of our outstanding voting stock solely
into shares of voting stock of the surviving entity or a direct
or indirect parent of the surviving entity; (iii) a
transaction that does not result in a reclassification,
conversion, exchange or cancellation of our outstanding voting
stock; or (iv) a consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer sale, lease or other disposition with or into any of
our subsidiaries (so long as such transaction is not part of a
plan or series of transactions designed to or having the effect
of merging or consolidating with or conveying, transferring,
selling, leasing or disposing all or substantially all of our
properties and assets to any other person);
50
(B) any person or group (as such
terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act, whether or not applicable), other than any of
our majority-owned subsidiaries, any employee benefit plan of
ours or such subsidiary or any permitted holder (as
defined in Repurchase at Option of Holders
Upon a Change of Control below), is or becomes the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more
than 50% of the total voting power in the aggregate of all our
classes of shares of beneficial interest then outstanding
entitled to vote generally in elections of directors;
(C) during any period of 24 consecutive months after the
date of original issuance of the new notes, persons who at the
beginning of such 24 month period constituted our board of
directors, together with any new persons whose election was
approved by a vote of a majority of the persons then still
comprising the board of directors who were either members of the
board of directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election, designation or nomination for election was previously
so approved (either by a specific vote or by approval of the
proxy statement issued by us on behalf of our entire Board of
Directors in which such individual is named as a nominee for
director), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of our
board of directors; or
(D) our Class A common stock (or other common stock
into which the new notes are then convertible) ceases to be
listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on an
established automated
over-the-counter
trading market in the United States.
However, a fundamental change will not be
deemed to have occurred if at least 90% of the consideration
(excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments
made pursuant to dissenters appraisal rights) in a merger,
consolidation or other transaction otherwise constituting a
fundamental change consists of shares of common stock (or
depositary receipts or other certificates representing common
equity interests) traded on a national securities exchange or
quoted on an established automated
over-the-counter
trading market in the United States (or will be so traded or
quoted immediately following such merger, consolidation or other
transaction) and as a result of the merger, consolidation or
other transaction the new notes become convertible into such
shares of common stock (or depositary receipts or other
certificates representing common equity interests).
For purposes of these provisions person
includes any syndicate or group that would be deemed to be a
person under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act.
The definition of fundamental change includes a
phrase relating to the sale, lease or other transfer of
all or substantially all of our consolidated assets.
There is no precise, established definition of the phrase
substantially all under applicable law. Accordingly,
the ability of a holder of new notes to require us to repurchase
its new notes as a result of the sale, lease or other transfer
of less than all of our consolidated assets may be uncertain.
We will have an obligation to notify holders of the new notes
and the conversion agent at least 30 business days before
the anticipated effective date of a fundamental change and
whether we elect to increase the conversion rate as described
above or to modify the conversion right as described below.
Fundamental
Change Involving a Public Acquirer Fundamental
Change
If the fundamental change is a public acquirer
fundamental change, as defined below, then we may, at
our sole option, elect to change the conversion right in lieu of
increasing the conversion rate applicable to new notes that are
converted in connection with that public acquirer fundamental
change. If we make this election, then we will adjust the
conversion rate and our related conversion obligation such that,
from and after the effective time of the public acquirer
fundamental change, the right to convert a new note into shares
of Class A common stock, cash or a combination thereof will
be changed into a right to convert new notes into shares of
public acquirer common stock, as described below,
still subject to the arrangements
51
for payment upon conversion set forth above under
Conversion Settlement, by adjusting the
conversion rate in effect immediately before the effective time
by a fraction:
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the numerator of which is the fair market value (as determined
in good faith by our board of directors), as of the effective
time of the public acquirer fundamental change, of the cash,
securities and other property paid or payable per share of our
Class A common stock; and
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the denominator of which is the average of the closing sale
prices per share of the public acquirer common stock for the 10
consecutive trading days commencing on, and including, the
trading day immediately after the effective date of the public
acquirer fundamental change.
|
If we elect to change the conversion right as described above,
the change in the conversion right will apply to all holders
from and after the effective time of the public acquirer
fundamental change, and not just those holders, if any, that
convert their new notes in connection with the public acquirer
fundamental change.
A public acquirer fundamental change means an
acquisition of us pursuant to a fundamental change in which the
acquirer (or any entity that is a direct or indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of the acquirer or of which the acquirer is a
direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary) has a class of
common stock that is traded on a national securities exchange or
that will be so traded when issued or exchanged in connection
with the fundamental change. We refer to such common stock as
the public acquirer common stock.
We will state in the notice described under
Make Whole Upon Fundamental Change above
whether we have elected to change the conversion right in lieu
of increasing the conversion rate. With respect to each public
acquirer fundamental change, we can make only one election, and
we cannot change that election once we have first mailed any
such notice or made any such public announcement or publication.
However, if we elect to change the conversion right as described
above in connection with a public acquirer fundamental change
that is ultimately not consummated, then we will not be
obligated to give effect to that particular election.
Repurchase
at Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control
If a change of control (as defined below) occurs, we
are required, within not more than 60 days nor less than
30 days following the occurrence of the change of control,
to make an offer to purchase and shall purchase all of the
outstanding new notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the new notes plus accrued interest to the
repurchase date.
Any portion of the principal amount of the new notes that is
equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 may be
repurchased if properly tendered and not withdrawn by the
holder. Our offer to repurchase the new notes will remain open
for 20 business days or until the business day before the
repurchase date, whichever is later.
In order to effect the repurchase, we will mail to each holder a
notice to that effect, not later than 30 days after the
occurrence of the change of control. The notice will govern the
terms of our offer to repurchase the new notes and will describe
the procedures that the holders must follow in order to accept
the offer as well as withdrawal procedures for any such
repurchase notice.
A change in control, as defined in Lamar Medias bank
credit facility, of us or Lamar Media Corp. gives the lenders
thereunder the right to require repayment in full of any
borrowings under the bank credit facility. Therefore, if a
change of control occurs without the consent of the lenders, we
will not be able to borrow under our bank credit facility, and
we may not have other resources available to repay or refinance
any indebtedness owing under our bank credit facility or to fund
the repurchase of any new notes you may require us to
repurchase. Our failure to comply with its obligations in the
event of a change of control will constitute a default under the
new notes.
If the holders exercise their right to require us to purchase
the new notes, and the repurchase constitutes a tender
offer for purposes of
Rule 14e-1
under the Exchange Act; we will comply with the requirements of
Rule 14e-1
as then in effect with respect to any repurchase.
52
A change of control means the occurrence of
any of the following events:
(1) any person or group (as such
terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange
Act), excluding permitted holders (as defined
below), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as
defined below), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of our
total voting power, but only if the permitted
holders (A) beneficially own a percentage
of our total voting power lower than the percentage beneficially
owned by such other person or group and (B) do not have the
right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect
or designate for election a majority of our board of directors;
(2) we consolidate with, or merge with or into, another
person or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any person
(or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us),
pursuant to a transaction in which our voting shares are
converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other
property, except a transaction where (A) our voting shares
are converted into or exchanged for voting shares of the
surviving or transferee corporation (other than voting shares
that mature or are redeemable for cash or debt securities before
the maturity date of the new notes) and (B) immediately
after such transaction no person or
group, excluding permitted holders, is
the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
more than 50% of the total voting power of the surviving or
transferee corporation;
(3) at any time during any consecutive two-year period, the
following persons cease for any reason to constitute a majority
of our board of directors: (A) individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted our board of directors or
(B) any new directors whose election by our board of
directors or whose nomination for election by our stockholders
was approved by a vote of
662/3%
of the directors then still in office who were either directors
at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved; or
(4) we are liquidated or dissolved or adopt a plan of
liquidation.
beneficial owner will be determined in
accordance with
Rules 13d-3
and 13d-5
under the Exchange Act, and will include, with respect to any
securities, any person having the right to acquire those
securities, whether immediately or after the passage of time,
upon the happening of an event or otherwise.
permitted holders means:
(1) any of Charles W. Lamar, III and Kevin P.
Reilly, Sr., members of their immediate families or any
lineal descendant of any of those persons and the immediate
families of any lineal descendant of those persons;
(2) any trust, to the extent it is for the benefit of any
of the persons listed under clause (1) above; or
(3) any person, entity or group of persons controlled by
any of the persons listed under clause (1) or
(2) above.
Mergers
and Sales of Assets by Us
We will not consolidate with or merge into any other person or
convey, transfer, sell or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any person, unless:
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the person formed by such consolidation or into or with which we
are merged or the person to which its properties and assets are
conveyed, transferred, sold or leased, is a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any
State thereof or the District of Columbia and, if other than us,
has expressly assumed all of our obligations, including the
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
the new notes and the performance of the other covenants under
the indenture; and
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immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of
default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or
both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is
continuing under the indenture.
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Events of
Default
The following will be events of default in respect of the new
notes:
(1) we fail to pay any principal of or premium, if any, on
any new note when it becomes due including pursuant to an offer
by us to repurchase the new notes upon a change of control;
(2) we fail to pay any interest on any new note within
30 days after it becomes due;
(3) we fail to provide notice in the event of a change of
control or fundamental change;
(4) we fail to convert, following the exercise of a
holders right to convert, or deliver when due any portion
of the principal amount or conversion value of a new note in
accordance with the indenture;
(5) we fail to observe or perform any other covenant in the
new notes or the indenture for 45 days after written notice
has been sent to us by the trustee or the holders of at least
25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding new notes;
(6) we are in default under one or more agreements,
instruments, mortgages, bonds, debentures or other evidences of
indebtedness under which we or our significant subsidiaries then
have more than $25.0 million in outstanding indebtedness,
individually or in the aggregate, and either (a) such
indebtedness is already due and payable in full or (b) such
default or defaults have resulted in the acceleration of the
maturity of the indebtedness;
(7) any final judgment or judgments which can no longer be
appealed for the payment of more than $25.0 million in
money (not covered by insurance) is rendered against us or our
significant subsidiaries and has not been discharged for any
period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement
is not in effect; and
(8) certain events occur involving bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization of us or our significant subsidiaries.
The trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction
of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have offered to
the trustee reasonable indemnity. However, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding new
notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
trustee.
If an event of default, other than an event of default specified
in clause (8) above, occurs and is continuing, then the
trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding new notes may accelerate the maturity
of all new notes, in which case the entire aggregate principal
amount of the new notes plus accrued interest to the date of
acceleration will be immediately due and payable. At any time
after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based
on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of outstanding new notes may, under certain
circumstances as set forth in the indenture, rescind and annul
such acceleration if all events of default, other than the
nonpayment of principal of the new notes which have become due
solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or
waived as provided in the indenture. If an event of default
specified in clause (8) occurs and is continuing, then the
principal of, and accrued interest on, all of the new notes
shall automatically become immediately due and payable without
any declaration or other act on the part of the holders of the
new notes or the trustee. For information as to waiver of
defaults, see Modification and Waiver
below.
54
You will have no right to institute any proceeding with respect
to the indenture or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
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you have previously given to the trustee written notice of a
continuing event of default;
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the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding new notes have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute such
proceeding as trustee; and
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the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding new notes a
direction inconsistent with such request and has failed to
institute such proceeding within 60 days of such request.
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Those limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder
for the enforcement of (a) a payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on a new note on or after the
respective due dates expressed in such new note or (b) of
the right to convert a new note in accordance with the indenture.
We will furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to its
performance of certain obligations under the indenture and as to
any default in such performance.
Modification
and Waiver
From time to time, we and the trustee may, without the consent
of holders, amend the indenture or the new notes, or supplement
the indenture, for certain specified purposes, including:
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to provide that the surviving entity following a change of
control of us permitted under the indenture shall assume all of
our obligations under the indenture and new notes;
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to provide for uncertificated new notes in addition to
certificated new notes;
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to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939;
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to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or make any
other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
holder; and
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to appoint a successor trustee under the indenture.
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From time to time we and the trustee may, with the consent of
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding new notes, amend or supplement the indenture or the
new notes, or waive compliance in a particular instance by us
with any provision of the indenture or the new notes; but
without the consent of each holder affected by such action, we
may not modify or supplement the indenture or the new notes or
waive compliance with any provision of the indenture or the new
notes in order to:
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reduce the amount of new notes whose holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver to the indenture or the new
notes;
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reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest;
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reduce the principal of or premium on or change the stated
maturity;
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make any new note payable in money other than that stated in the
new note;
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change the amount or time of any payment required or reduce the
premium payable upon any repurchase, or change the time before
which no such repurchase may be made;
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waive a default on the payment of the principal of or interest
on any new note, or any repurchase payment;
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impair the right of any holder to convert any new note;
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impair or adversely affect the right to bring a suit to enforce
the right to receive payment on or convert any new note;
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adversely affect the right to require us to repurchase the new
notes upon a change of control;
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reduce or adversely affect the right to receive the repurchase
price for the new notes; or
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take any other action otherwise prohibited by the indenture to
be taken without the consent of each holder affected by such
action.
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Notices
As long as we issue the new notes in global form, notices to be
given to holders will be given to DTC, in accordance with its
applicable policies as in effect from time to time. If we issue
the new notes in non-global form, notices to holders will be
given by mail to the addresses of the holders as they appear in
the security register. Notices will be deemed to have been given
three business days after the mailing of the notice. In
addition, notice will be given to holders by release made to
Reuters Economic Services and Bloomberg Business News.
Satisfaction,
Discharge, and Defeasance
The new notes will not be subject to satisfaction, discharge or
defeasance.
Governing
Law
The indenture and the new notes will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
The
Trustee
The trustee or conversion agent for the holders of the new notes
will be The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
In case an event of default has occurred, and has not been
cured, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care of
a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs in the
exercise of its powers. However, the trustee will have no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
indenture at the request of the holders, unless they have
offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity.
The indenture and the Trust Indenture Act contain limitations on
the rights of the trustee, should the trustee become our
creditor, to obtain payments of claims in certain cases or to
realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise. Subject to the Trust Indenture
Act, the trustee will be permitted to engage in other
transactions with us or any of our affiliates. If, however, the
trustee acquires any conflicting interest as described in the
Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate the conflict or resign.
Book-Entry
System
DTC will act as depositary for the new notes. The new notes will
be issued only as (one or more) fully-registered global notes,
representing the total aggregate principal amount of the new
notes, and will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for
DTC, in New York, New York. The global notes will be registered
in the name of Cede & Co. or other nominee of DTC, for
credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC
as described below.
Except as described below:
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the global notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part,
only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its
nominee; and
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beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged
for new notes in certificated form.
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Exchanges
of Book-Entry New Notes for Registered, Certificated New
Notes
A beneficial interest in a global note will be exchanged for a
new note in registered, certificated form only if:
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DTC (A)(i) notifies Lamar Advertising that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary for the global note or
(ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under
the Exchange Act, and (B) Lamar Advertising fails to
appoint a successor depositary within 90 days; or
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an event of default or an event which after notice or lapse of
time or both would be an event of default has occurred and is
continuing in respect of the new notes.
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In either case, registered, certificated new notes delivered in
exchange for any global note or beneficial interests in the
global note will be registered with Lamar Advertising or its
agent in the names, and issued in any approved denominations,
requested by or on behalf of DTC, in accordance with its
customary procedures. Following any such delivery of registered,
certificated new notes, transfer of a new note may be effected
only be surrender of the old note and either the reissuance by
Lamar Advertising of the old note to the new holder or the
issuance by Lamar Advertising of a new instrument to the new
holder.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain persons take
physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they
own. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a global note so long as the new notes are
represented by global certificates. In addition, because DTC can
act only on behalf of its participants, the ability of a person
having beneficial interests in a global note to pledge such
interests to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC,
or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such
interests.
DTC
DTC has advised us that it is:
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a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, and a member of the Federal Reserve System;
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a clearing corporation within the meaning of the
Uniform Commercial Code; and
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a clearing agency registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
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DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between participants through electronic book-entry
changes to the accounts of its participants. Participants
include securities brokers, dealers, banks, trust companies and
clearing corporations and other organizations. Some of the
participants or their representatives, together with other
entities, own DTC. Indirect access to the DTC system is
available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.
DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate
transfers of interests in a global note among participants.
However, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to
perform these procedures, and may discontinue these procedures
at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to
continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not
appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue new notes in
certificated form in exchange for global notes.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the global note will be
shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominees
(with respect to interests of participants) or participants
(with respect to interests of persons held by such participants
on their behalf).
As long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a
global note, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and holder of the new notes
represented by such global
57
note for all purposes under the indenture and the new notes.
Except in the limited circumstances described in the first
paragraph under Exchanges of Book-Entry New
Notes for Registered, Certificated New Notes, owners of
beneficial interests in a global note will not be entitled to
have any portions of such global note registered in their names,
will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
new notes in definitive form and will not be considered the
owners or holders of the global note, or any new notes
represented by the global note, under the new notes indenture or
the new notes. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial
interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC
and, if not a participant, those of the participant through
which such person owns its interest, in order to exercise any
rights of a holder under the indenture or such new note.
Payments, transfers, deliveries, exchanges and other matters
relating to the beneficial interests in global notes may be
subject to various policies and procedures adopted by DTC from
time to time.
DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of new notes only at the direction of one or
more participants that have accounts with DTC to which interests
in the global notes are credited, and only in respect of such
portion of the aggregate principal amount of the new notes as to
which such participants have given such direction. However, if
there is an event of default in respect of the new notes, DTC
reserves the right to exchange the global notes for new notes in
certificated form, and to distribute such new notes to its
participants.
Neither we, nor the trustee nor any of our agent nor their
agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC
or its participants of their obligations under the rules and
procedures governing DTCs operations, including
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTCs or such
participants records relating to, or payments made on
account of, beneficial ownership interests in global notes.
Payment
and Conversion
The trustee will make payments in respect of the principal of,
and premium, if any, and interest on, or the repurchase price
of, any global note to DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the
registered holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the
indenture, Lamar Advertising and the trustee will treat the
persons in whose names the new notes, including the global
notes, are registered as the owners of the new notes for the
purpose of receiving such payments and for any other purposes.
Conversion will be effected by DTC upon notice from the holder
of a beneficial interest in a global note in accordance with its
rules and procedures. New notes surrendered for conversion must
be accompanied by a conversion notice and any payments in
respect of interest, as applicable, as described above under
Conversion Rights.
The information in this section concerning DTC and its
book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe
to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for its
accuracy.
Calculations
in Respect of the New Notes
Except as explicitly specified otherwise herein, we will be
responsible for making all calculations required under the new
notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to,
determinations of the conversion price and conversion rate
applicable to the new notes. We will make all these calculations
in good faith and, absent manifest error, our calculations will
be final and binding on holders of the new notes. We will
provide a schedule of our calculations to the trustee, and the
trustee is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of our
calculations without independent verification. The trustee will
forward our calculations to any holder of new notes upon request
within 20 business days of the effective date of any adjustments.
58
MATERIAL
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain United States federal
income tax consequences of the exchange of outstanding notes for
new notes pursuant to the exchange offer, and does not purport
to provide a complete analysis of all potential tax
considerations. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), administrative
pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and
proposed regulations, all of which are subject to change. Any
such change could be applied retroactively in a way that could
cause the tax consequences to differ from the consequences
described below, possibly with adverse effect. This summary
applies only to persons who hold the outstanding notes and the
new notes as capital assets within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Code (that is, for investment purposes)
and does not address the tax consequences to subsequent
purchasers of the notes. This summary does not discuss all
aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be
relevant to holders in light of their special circumstances or
to holders subject to special tax rules (such as financial
institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations,
dealers in securities or currencies, persons who hold the notes
through a partnership or other passthrough entity, persons
subject to alternative minimum tax, persons holding the notes as
a part of a hedge, straddle, conversion, constructive sale or
other integrated transaction, U.S. holders (as defined
below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar or
persons who have ceased to be U.S. citizens or to be taxed
as resident aliens). This summary also does not discuss any tax
consequences arising under the United States federal estate and
gift tax laws or the law of any state, local, foreign or other
taxing jurisdiction.
You are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding the
application of U.S. federal income tax laws to your
particular situation and the consequences of federal estate and
gift tax laws and the laws of any state, local, foreign or other
taxing jurisdiction.
As used in this summary, the term U.S. holder
means a beneficial owner of a note that is for United States
federal income tax purposes (i) an individual who is a
citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a
corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized
in or under the laws of the United States or of any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is
subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its
source, or (iv) a trust, if a court within the United
States is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more United States
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust or if a valid election is in place to treat the
trust as a United States person.
As used in this summary, the term
non-U.S. holder
means a beneficial owner of a note (other than a partnership)
that is not a U.S. holder.
If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership
for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial
owner of a note, the tax treatment of a partner in that
partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner
and the activities of the partnership. Holders of notes that are
partnerships and partners in those partnerships are urged to
consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal
income tax consequences of the exchange of outstanding notes for
new notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
Tax
Consequences to Tendering U.S. Holders
Characterization
of the Exchange
In general, the modification of a debt instrument, whether
effected pursuant to an amendment of the terms of the debt
instrument or an actual exchange of an existing debt instrument
for a new debt instrument, will be treated for U.S. federal
income tax purposes as an exchange of the existing debt
instrument for a new debt instrument (a Tax
Exchange) only if there is deemed to be a
significant modification of the existing debt
instrument. A modification will be considered significant if,
based on all the facts and circumstances, the legal rights and
obligations under the new debt instrument differ from those
under the existing debt instrument to a degree that is
economically significant. There is no statutory, administrative
or judicial authority that addresses the U.S. federal
income tax treatment of an exchange
59
with the specific terms of the exchange offer. Therefore, it is
not clear whether the exchange of the outstanding notes for new
notes will be treated as a significant modification of the terms
of the outstanding notes for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. As a result, we have not obtained an opinion of
counsel regarding whether the exchange will constitute a
significant modification of the outstanding notes.
Notwithstanding this lack of specific guidance, we believe and
intend to take the position, that the exchange of the
outstanding notes for the new notes should not constitute a
significant modification of the terms of the outstanding notes,
because we believe the legal rights and obligations created by
the new notes do not differ from the legal rights and
obligations created by the outstanding notes to a degree that is
economically significant. That position is subject to
uncertainty, however, and could be challenged by the IRS.
Treatment
If Exchange Is Not a Tax Exchange
If, consistent with our position, the exchange of the
outstanding notes for the new notes does not constitute a
significant modification of the terms of the outstanding notes,
the new notes will be treated as a continuation of the
outstanding notes. In that case, except with respect to the
receipt of the exchange fee (as discussed below), there will be
no U.S. federal income tax consequences to a
U.S. Holder who exchanges outstanding notes for new notes
pursuant to the exchange offer, and the U.S. Holders
tax basis and holding period in the new notes will be the same
as the U.S. Holders tax basis and holding period in
the outstanding notes exchanged therefor.
Treatment
If Exchange is a Tax Exchange
The IRS may not agree that the exchange of outstanding notes for
new notes does not result in a significant modification of the
terms of the outstanding notes. If the exchange were treated as
a significant modification of the outstanding notes, the tax
consequences of the exchange would depend on whether the notes
are considered securities for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. We intend to take the position that the
outstanding notes and the new notes will constitute securities
for United States federal income tax purposes. However, the
matter is not free from doubt. The determination of whether a
debt instrument constitutes a security depends upon an
evaluation of all of the terms and conditions of, and other
facts and circumstances relating to the instrument, with the
term of the instrument usually regarded as one of the most
significant factors, and upon the application of numerous
judicial and administrative decisions and rulings. If both the
outstanding notes and the new notes constitute securities for
United States federal income tax purposes, the exchange should
qualify as a recapitalization (and therefore, a generally
tax-free reorganization), and U.S. Holders of the
outstanding notes should not recognize any gain or loss on the
exchange, except with respect to the exchange fee (as discussed
below). U.S. Holders should generally have a tax basis in
the new notes equal to their tax basis in the outstanding notes
decreased by any exchange fee received and increased by any gain
recognized, and should have a holding period for the new notes
that includes the holding period for the outstanding notes.
If the exchange of the outstanding notes for the new notes were
not to qualify for treatment as a recapitalization, a
U.S. Holder of the outstanding notes would recognize gain
or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the
exchange in an amount equal to the difference between
(i) the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the
outstanding notes and (ii) the sum of the issue price of
the new notes deemed to be received in exchange therefor and any
exchange fee received. Generally, a U.S. Holders
adjusted tax basis for an outstanding note will be
equal to the cost of the note to the U.S. Holder,
increased, if applicable, by any market discount (described
below) previously included in income by the U.S. Holder
under an election to include market discount in gross income
currently as it accrues (including any market discount included
in the taxable year of the exchange prior to the date of the
exchange), and reduced (but not below zero) by the accrual of
any amortizable bond premium which the U.S. Holder has
previously elected to offset against interest payments on the
note. Subject to the treatment of a portion of any gain as
ordinary income to the extent of any market discount accrued on
the outstanding notes and not previously included in income by
the U.S. Holder, any gain or loss would be capital gain or
loss and would be long-term capital gain or loss if the
U.S. Holder held the outstanding notes for more than one
year on the date of the exchange. The
60
deduction of capital losses for U.S. federal income tax
purposes is subject to limitations. A U.S. Holders
holding period for a new note would commence on the date
immediately following the date of the exchange, and the
U.S. Holders initial tax basis in the new note would
be the issue price of the new note.
An exception to the capital gain treatment described above may
apply to a U.S. Holder who purchased an outstanding note
with market discount. Subject to a statutory de
minimis exception, market discount is the excess of the
principal amount of the note over a U.S. Holders tax
basis in the note immediately after its acquisition. In general,
unless a U.S. Holder has elected to include market discount
in income currently as it accrues, any gain realized by the
U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of a
note having market discount will be treated as ordinary income
to the extent of the market discount that has accrued (on a
straight line basis or, at the election of the U.S. Holder,
on a constant yield basis) while the note was held by the
U.S. Holder. If the exchange qualifies as a
recapitalization, however, any market discount on the
outstanding notes prior to the exchange that exceeds the
exchange fee would survive the exchange, although some or all of
the market discount could effectively be converted into original
issue discount, as described below.
If the exchange of outstanding notes for new notes were treated
either as a recapitalization or a taxable exchange, the tax
treatment of the new notes would depend on the issue
price of the new notes and could differ significantly from
that of the outstanding notes. If either the outstanding notes
or the new notes are properly treated as traded on an
established securities market within the meaning of
Section 1273(b) of the Code, the issue price of the new
notes would be the fair market value of the outstanding notes or
the new notes, as applicable. In such case, the new notes would
be issued with original issue discount if their stated
redemption price at maturity (generally, the amount we are
required to pay upon maturity of the new notes) exceeded their
issue price, or, alternatively, would be issued with bond
premium if a U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the
new notes exceeded their stated redemption price at maturity. If
neither the outstanding notes nor the new notes are properly
treated as traded on an established securities market, then
because the interest rate on the new notes is less than the
applicable federal rate for a debt instrument with a term equal
to the term of the new notes, the issue price of the new notes
would equal their imputed principal amount. The
imputed principal amount of a new note generally would equal the
sum of the present values of all payments due under the new
note, using a discount rate equal to the applicable federal rate
in effect at the time of the exchange. In such case, a new note
would be issued with original issue discount, because the issue
price of the new note would be less than its stated redemption
price at maturity.
Subject to a statutory de minimis exception, a
U.S. Holder would be required to include any original issue
discount in respect of the new notes in income on a constant
yield to maturity basis over the term of the new notes and in
advance of the receipt of cash payments attributable to such
income. Subject to applicable limitations, a U.S. Holder
could elect to amortize any bond premium in respect of the new
notes as an offset to interest income otherwise required to be
included in income in respect of the new notes during the
taxable year.
Treatment
of Exchange Fee
Although the matter is not free from doubt, we intend to treat
the payment of the exchange fee as consideration to holders for
participating in the exchange offer, and such payments will be
reported to U.S. Holders and to the IRS for information
reporting purposes in accordance with this treatment. Under this
treatment, a U.S. Holder participating in the exchange
offer will be required to include the exchange fee in ordinary
income, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the
taxable year in which the exchange fee is accrued or received in
accordance with such holders regular method of tax
accounting. If the exchange of outstanding notes for new notes
were treated either as a recapitalization or a taxable exchange,
the exchange fee would likely be treated as additional
consideration received in the exchange. If the exchange were
treated as a recapitalization, as discussed above, a
U.S. Holder would recognize any gain on the exchange to the
extent that such gain did not exceed the exchange fee received.
61
Conversion
of a New Note
If a U.S. Holder participating in the exchange subsequently
presents a new note for conversion, and we elect to delivery
solely cash to settle our conversion obligation, the
U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss
equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and
the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the new note.
If a U.S. Holder participating in the exchange subsequently
presents a new note for conversion, and we elect to deliver a
combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock
to settle our conversion obligation, the U.S. federal
income tax treatment is not entirely clear, because there is no
statutory, administrative or judicial authority specifically
addressing the tax consequences of such a payment upon
conversion of a note. A U.S. Holder may be treated as
exchanging the new note for Class A common stock and cash
in a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In such case, the U.S. Holder generally would not recognize
loss, but would recognize gain in an amount equal to the lesser
of the gain realized (i.e., the excess, if
any, of the fair market value of the common shares received upon
the exchange plus cash received over the U.S. Holders
adjusted tax basis in the new notes tendered in exchange
therefor) and the cash received. The U.S. Holders
adjusted tax basis in the Class A common stock received
generally would equal the adjusted tax basis of the new note,
decreased by the amount of cash received, and increased by the
amount of gain recognized.
Alternatively, if the exchange of a new note for cash and
Class A common stock is not treated as a recapitalization,
the cash payment received by a U.S. Holder may be treated
as proceeds from the sale of a portion of the new note, and any
Class A common stock may be treated as received upon
conversion of a portion of the new note. The
U.S. Holders aggregate tax basis in the new note
would be allocated pro rata between the portion of the new note
treated as sold and the portion of the new note treated as
converted into Class A common stock. The U.S. Holder
generally would recognize capital gain or loss with respect to
the portion of the new note treated as sold equal to the
difference between the amount of cash received by the
U.S. Holder and the U.S. Holders adjusted tax
basis in the portion of the new note treated as sold. A
U.S. Holder generally would not recognize any gain or loss
with respect to the portion of the new note treated as converted
into Class A common stock. The U.S. Holders tax
basis in the Class A common stock would equal the tax basis
allocated to the portion of the new note treated as converted
into the Class A common stock. The U.S. Holders
holding period for the Class A common stock would include
the U.S. Holders holding period attributable to the
new note.
If a U.S. Holder participating in the exchange subsequently
presents a new note for conversion and we elect to deliver
solely shares of our Class A common stock to settle our
conversion obligation, the U.S. Holder generally will not
recognize any gain or loss, except with respect to cash received
in lieu of a fractional share of common stock. Such
holders tax basis in the Class A common stock
received on conversion of the new note will be the same as such
holders adjusted tax basis in the new note at the time of
conversion (reduced by any basis allocable to a fractional share
interest), and the holding period for the Class A common
stock received on conversion generally will include the holding
period of the new note converted. Cash received in lieu of a
fractional share of Class A common stock generally will be
treated as a payment in exchange for the fractional share of
Class A common stock. Accordingly, the receipt of cash in
lieu of a fractional share of Class A common stock
generally will result in gain or loss measured by the difference
between the cash received for the fractional share and the
U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the fractional
share.
The gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder upon
conversion of a new note generally would be capital gain or loss
(treated as ordinary income to the extent of accrued
market discount not previously included in income)
and would be long-term capital gain or loss if the
U.S. Holders holding period attributable to the new
note exceeded one year at the time of the conversion. Long-term
capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders are currently
subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of
15%. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to
limitations.
62
Conversion
Rate Adjustments
Holders of convertible debt instruments such as the new notes
may, in some circumstances, be deemed to have received
distributions of stock if the conversion rate of such
instruments is adjusted or there is a failure to provide for an
adjustment, to the extent the adjustment results in an increase
in the holders proportionate interest in our earnings and
profits or assets. However, adjustments to the conversion rate
made pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable adjustment formula
which has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest
of the holders of the debt instruments generally will not be
considered to result in a constructive distribution of stock.
Some of the possible adjustments provided in the new notes
(including without limitation, adjustments in respect of taxable
dividends to our stockholders) will not qualify as being
pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula and
generally will result in a constructive stock distribution. If a
holder converts a new note in connection with certain
fundamental changes, the adjustment to the conversion rate of
the note (as described under Description of the New
Notes Conversion Rate Adjustments Make
Whole Upon Fundamental Change) also may result in a
constructive stock distribution. Any such constructive stock
distributions resulting from a conversion rate adjustment will
be taxable as dividends to the extent of our current and
accumulated earnings and profits, even though holders may not
have received any cash or property as a result of such
adjustments. A holders tax basis in the new notes
generally will be increased by the amount of any constructive
dividend included in taxable income In certain circumstances, it
is also possible that the amendment to the new notes upon the
occurrence of a public acquirer fundamental change to entitle
holders to convert new notes into cash and shares of public
acquirer common stock (as described under Description of
the New Notes Conversion Rate
Adjustments Fundamental Change Involving a Public
Acquirer Fundamental Change) may give rise to a taxable
event. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning
the tax consequences to them of such adjustments to the
conversion rate of the new notes.
Tax
Consequences to Tendering
Non-U.S. Holders
Exchange
of Outstanding Notes for New Notes
If the exchange were treated either as a recapitalization or a
taxable exchange,
non-U.S. Holders
generally would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax
on gain recognized in connection with such exchange unless
income in respect of the notes is treated as effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is
attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained
by the
non-U.S. Holder)
or, in the case of a non-resident alien individual
non-U.S. Holder,
the
non-U.S. Holder
is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the
year of the exchange and certain other conditions are met. In
such case, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such
non-U.S. Holder
would be the same as those applicable to U.S. Holders
described above.
Treatment
of Exchange Fee
As described above with respect to U.S. Holders, we
currently intend to treat the exchange fee as consideration to
holders for participating in the exchange offer. Accordingly,
the exchange fee paid to a
non-U.S. Holder
will be treated as subject to U.S. federal withholding tax
at a rate of 30% unless (i) the exchange fee is treated as
effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or business by
the
non-U.S. Holder
in the United States and the
non-U.S. Holder
provides a properly executed
Form W-8ECI
or (ii) a tax treaty either eliminates or reduces such
withholding tax and the
non-U.S. Holder
provides a properly executed
Form W-8BEN
claiming treaty benefits.
Conversion
Rate Adjustments
The conversion rate of the new notes is subject to adjustment in
some circumstances. Any such adjustment or failure to make an
adjustment could, in some circumstances, give rise to a deemed
63
distribution that is taxable as a dividend to
non-U.S. holders
or otherwise result in a taxable event. See Tax
Consequences to Tendering U.S. Holders
Conversion Rate Adjustments, above.
The preceding discussion of the material U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the exchange of outstanding notes for
new notes is for general information only. It is not tax advice.
Investors considering the exchange of their outstanding notes
for new notes pursuant to the exchange offer should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the application of the
U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular
situations, as well as any tax consequences of the exchange
offer under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws and
foreign, state or local tax laws and tax treaties.
64
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our authorized capital stock consists of
(i) 175,000,000 shares of Class A common stock,
$0.001 par value per share,
(ii) 37,500,000 shares of Class B common stock,
$0.001 par value per share, (iii) 10,000 shares
of Class A preferred stock, $638 par value per share,
and (iv) 1,000,000 undesignated shares of preferred stock,
$0.001 par value per share, of which 5,720 shares have
been designated Series AA preferred stock. The following
summary of our capital stock is qualified in its entirety by
reference to our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and
by-laws, as amended.
Common
Stock
As of May 15, 2007, there were 82,723,674 shares of
Class A common stock and 15,397,865 shares of
Class B common stock issued and outstanding.
Voting
Rights; Conversion of Class B Common Stock
The Class A common stock and Class B common stock have
the same rights and powers, except that a share of Class A
common stock entitles the holder to one vote and a share of
Class B common stock entitles the holder to ten votes.
Except as required by Delaware law, the holders of Class A
common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a
single class. Each share of Class B common stock is
convertible at the option of its holder into one share of
Class A common stock at any time. In addition, each share
of Class B common stock converts automatically into one
share of Class A common stock upon the sale or other
transfer of such share of Class B common stock to a person
who, or entity which, is not a permitted transferee.
Permitted transferees include (1) Kevin P.
Reilly, Sr.; (2) a descendant of Kevin P.
Reilly, Sr.; (3) a spouse or surviving spouse (even if
remarried) of any individual named or described in (1) or
(2) above; (4) any estate, trust, guardianship,
custodianship, curatorship or other fiduciary arrangement for
the primary benefit of any one or more of the individuals named
or described in (1), (2) and (3) above; and
(5) any corporation, partnership, limited liability company
or other business organization controlled by and substantially
all of the interests in which are owned, directly or indirectly,
by any one or more of the individuals and entities named or
described in (1), (2), (3) and (4) above. Furthermore,
each share of Class B common stock converts automatically
into one share of Class A common stock in the event the
number of outstanding shares of Class B common stock falls
below 10% of the total number of outstanding shares of
Class A and Class B common stock taken together.
Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of any class of common stock
is required to approve any amendment to the certificate of
incorporation that would increase or decrease the par value of
such class, or modify or change the powers, preferences or
special rights of the shares of any class so as to affect such
Class Adversely.
Our certificate of incorporation, however, allows for amendments
to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of
Class A common stock or Class B common stock without a
separate vote of either class.
Dividends;
Liquidation Rights
All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and
nonassessable. In the event of our liquidation or dissolution,
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. Because we
are a holding company with no significant assets or independent
operations, we can only pay dividends declared by the board of
directors to the extent that cash can be upstreamed to us from
our subsidiaries for this purpose. Lamar Medias existing
indentures and bank credit facility restrict the amount of
dividends that may be paid to us. Subject to the preferential
rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, holders
of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends. No
dividend may be paid in cash or property on any share of either
class of common stock unless simultaneously the same dividend is
paid on each share of the other class of common stock. If
65
a stock dividend is declared, holders of a specific class of
common stock will be entitled to receive only additional shares
of the same class.
Other
Provisions
The common stock is redeemable in the manner and on the
conditions permitted under Delaware law and as may be authorized
by the board of directors. Holders of common stock have no right
to subscribe to new issuances of common stock. Any outstanding
shares of Class A or Class B common stock, which Lamar
Advertising subdivides by stock split or recapitalization, or
combines by reverse stock split or otherwise, will be subdivided
or combined on an equal basis.
Transfer
Agent
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company serves as the transfer
agent and registrar for the Class A common stock.
Series AA
Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2007, there were 5,719.49 shares of
Series AA preferred stock issued and outstanding, all of
which are fully paid and nonassessable.
Rank
The Series AA preferred stock ranks senior to the common
stock with respect to dividends and upon our dissolution or
liquidation.
Dividends
Holders of shares of Series AA preferred stock are entitled
to receive distributions if declared by the board of directors
out of funds legally available to make such payments, cash
dividends at a rate of $15.95 per share per quarter.
Dividends accrue and cumulate from the date of issuance of the
shares and are paid quarterly. As of the date of this
prospectus, we are current with all these quarterly dividend
payments. We intend to continue paying dividends on the
Series AA preferred stock.
Dissolution
or Liquidation
Upon our voluntary or involuntary dissolution or liquidation,
the holders of the Series AA preferred stock are entitled
to receive, before any payment may be made or any assets
distributed to the holders of common stock, the sum of
$638 per share and any dividends accrued and unpaid on the
stock. Upon any dissolution or liquidation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, if the assets distributed among the holders of the
Series AA preferred stock are insufficient to permit the
payment to a stockholder of the full preferential amounts to
which they are entitled, then all of our assets to be
distributed upon dissolution or liquidation will be distributed
to the holders of Series AA preferred stock before any
distribution to holders of common stock. A merger or
consolidation of us with or into any other corporation or
corporations is not considered to be a dissolution or
liquidation.
Voting
Rights
Holders of Series AA preferred stock are entitled to one
vote per share.
Class A
Preferred Stock
We currently have authorized 10,000 shares of Class A
preferred stock, none of which are issued and outstanding as of
the date of this prospectus. The Class A preferred stock
has substantially identical rights, preferences and privileges
to the Series AA preferred stock, except that the
Class A preferred stock does not have any voting rights
other than as required under the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.
66
Additional
Preferred Stock
We currently have authorized 994,280 shares of undesignated
preferred stock, none of which were issued and outstanding as of
the date of this prospectus. Under Delaware law and our
certificate of incorporation, we may issue shares of
undesignated preferred stock from time to time, in one or more
classes or series, as authorized by our board of directors,
generally without the approval of our stockholders.
Subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and our
certificate of incorporation and by-laws, the board of directors
can fix the number of shares constituting each class or series
of preferred stock and the designations, powers, preferences and
other rights of such series as well as the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions on such powers, preferences and
rights. These may include such provisions as may be desired
concerning voting, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the
distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other
subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution of the board
of directors or duly authorized committee.
Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of
preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the
effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction which
holders of some, or a majority, of such shares might believe to
be in their best interests or in which holders of some, or a
majority, of such shares might receive a premium for their
shares over the then-market price of such shares.
Section 203
of the Delaware General Corporation Law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203
prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in
a business combination with an interested
stockholder for a period of three years after the date of
the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a
prescribed manner. A business combination includes a
merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial
benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested
stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and
associates, owns (or, in certain cases, within three years
prior, did own) 15% or more of the corporations voting
stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between us
and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies
one of the following conditions: (1) our board of directors
must have previously approved either the business combination or
the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder or (2) on consummation of the
transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at
least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced (excluding, for purposes of determining
the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting
stock owned by the interested stockholder), shares owned by
(a) persons who are directors and also officers and
(b) employee stock plans, in certain instances) or
(3) the business combination is approved by our board of
directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the
stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least
662/3%
of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the
interested stockholder.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the new notes and Class A common stock
offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Edwards Angell
Palmer & Dodge LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Certain
legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed
upon for the dealer-manager by Cahill Gordon & Reindel
LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of Lamar
Advertising Company and subsidiaries and Lamar Media Corp. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
2006, and managements assessments of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2006, have been incorporated by reference
herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting
firm, incorporated by reference herein and upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
67
The
exchange agent for the exchange offer is:
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
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By Facsimile:
Bank of New York
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. William Buckley
Fax:
(212) 298-1915
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By Registered or Certified
Mail:
Bank of New York
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. William Buckley
Telephone: (212) 815-5788
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By Hand/Overnight Delivery:
Bank of New York
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. William Buckley
Telephone: (212) 815-5788
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For Confirmation by Telephone:
(212) 815-5788
Questions, requests for assistance and requests for additional
copies of this prospectus
and related letter of transmittal may be directed to the
information agent
or the dealer-manager at each of their addresses set forth below:
The information agent for the exchange offer is:
The Altman Group
1200 Wall Street West
3rd Floor
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
Holders call toll-free:
(866) 416-0551
Banks and Brokers call:
(201) 806-7300
Fax:
(201) 460-0050
The dealer-manager for the exchange offer is:
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC
375 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10152
(800) 367-8652
(U.S. toll-free)
(212) 214-6077
(collect)