1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
FILED BY THE REGISTRANT /X/ FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT / /
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Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):
/x//X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
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LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
5551 CORPORATE BOULEVARD, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70808
(504) 926-1000
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The annual meeting of the stockholders of Lamar Advertising Company, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Lamar"), will be held at the HiltonRadisson
Hotel, 5500 Hilton4728 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9:10:00 a.m. on
Thursday, March 20, 1997,May 21, 1998, for the following purposes:
1. To elect eightseven directors of the Company.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on February 18, 1997April 3, 1998 will
be entitled to vote at the meeting.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. THEREFORE,
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR PROXY AND
RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING AND WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON, YOUR PROXY
WILL NOT BE USED.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Charles W. Lamar, III
Secretary
February 21, 1997April 23, 1998
3
LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
5551 CORPORATE BOULEVARD, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70808
(504) 926-1000
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PROXY STATEMENT
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Lamar Advertising Company ("Lamar" or the "Company") for use at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held at the HiltonRadisson Hotel, 5500 Hilton4728 Constitution
Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9:10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, 1997,May 21, 1998, and at
any adjournments thereof.
The authority granted by an executed proxy may be revoked, at any time
before its exercise, by filing with the Secretary of the Company a written
revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by voting in person
at the meeting. Shares represented by valid proxies will be voted in accordance
with the specifications in the proxies. If no specifications are made, the
proxies will be voted to elect the directors nominated by the Board of
Directors.
On February 18, 1997,April 3, 1998, the Company had outstanding 17,612,69028,691,080 shares of Class A
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the "Class A Stock") and 13,716,38718,762,912
shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the "Class B Stock"
which, together with the Class A Stock, is referred to herein as the "Common
Stock"), which are its only outstanding classes of voting stock. Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on February 18, 1997April 3, 1998 will be
entitled to vote at the meeting. The holders of Class A Stock are entitled to
one vote for each share registered in their names on the record date with
respect to all matters to be acted upon at the meeting, and each share of Class
B Stock entitles the holder thereof to ten votes on such matters. The presence
at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of a majority in interest of the Common
Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions and broker
non-
votesnon-votes will be considered present for purposes of determining the presence of
a quorum.
The approximate date on which this proxy statement and accompanying proxy
are first being sent or given to stockholders is February 21, 1997.April 23, 1998.
4
SHARE OWNERSHIP
The following table and footnotes set forth certain information regarding
the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of FebruaryMarch 1, 19971998 by (i) persons
known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of either class of
Common Stock, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer and each of the four
most highly compensatedother executive
officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, (iii) each director and nominee
for election as a director of the Company and (iv) all current executive
officers and directors of the Company as a group:
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS TITLE OF NUMBER OF PERCENT
AND 5% STOCKHOLDERS CLASS SHARES (1) OF CLASS
------------------- --------- ----------- --------
The Reilly Family Limited Class B(2) 13,716,387(3) 100.0%(4)
Partnership (3)
c/o The Lamar Corporation
5551 Corporate Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Charles W. Lamar, III Class A 4,454,157(5) 25.3%
c/o The Lamar Corporation
5551 Corporate Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Mary Lee Lamar Dixon Class A 2,071,819(6) 11.8%
c/o The Lamar Corporation
5551 Corporate Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Robert E. Campbell Class A 22,811(7) *
Dudley W. Coates Class A 176,854(8) *
Keith A. Istre Class A 20,625(9) *
Gerald H. Marchand Class A 160,250(10) *
Jack S. Rome, Jr. Class A 1,500(11) *
William R. Schmidt Class A 500 *
T. Everett Stewart Class A 25,850(12) *
All Directors and Executive Officers Class A 19,366,256(13) 61.6%(14)
as a Group (13
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS TITLE OF NUMBER OF PERCENT
AND 5% STOCKHOLDERS CLASS SHARES (1) OF CLASS
------------------- --------- ------------ --------
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr. Class A 7,500 *
c/o The Lamar Corporation Class B(2) 18,762,912(3) 100.0%(4)
5551 Corporate Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Putnam Investments, Inc. Class A 5,524,117(5) 19.3%
One Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
Charles W. Lamar, III Class A 5,250,665(6) 18.3%
c/o The Lamar Corporation
5551 Corporate Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Mary Lee Lamar Dixon Class A 2,487,727 8.7%
c/o The Lamar Corporation
5551 Corporate Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Pilgrim Baxter & Associates, Ltd. Class A 2,216,100(8) 7.7%
825 Duportail Road
Wayne, PA 19087
Keith A. Istre Class A 12,250(9) *
Gerald H. Marchand Class A 161,662 *
Jack S. Rome, Jr. Class A 3,750(10) *
William R. Schmidt Class A 750 *
T. Everett Stewart, Jr. Class A 0 *
All Directors and Executive Officers Class A 24,199,489(11) 51.0%(12)
as a Group (7 Persons)
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* Less than 1%
(1) The persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by
them, except as noted below.
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5
(2) Upon the sale of any shares of Class B Stock to a person other than to
a Permitted Transferee, such shares will automatically convert into
shares of Class A Stock. Permitted Transferees include (i) Kevin P.
Reilly, Sr.; (ii) a descendant of Kevin P. Reilly, Sr.; (iii) a spouse
or surviving spouse (even if remarried) of any individual named or
described in (i) or (ii) above; (iv) 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 (i), (ii) and (iii) above; and (v) 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 (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above.
Except for voting rights, the Class A and Class B Stock are
substantially identical. The holders of Class A Stock and Class B
Stock vote together as a single class (except as may otherwise be
required by Delaware law), with the holders of Class A Stock entitled
to one vote per share and the holders of Class B Stock entitled to ten
votes per share, on all matters on which the holders of Common Stock
are entitled to vote.
(3) Kevin P.Consists of shares held by the Reilly Jr.Family Limited Partnership (the
"RFLP"), the Chief Executive Officer of the Company,which Mr. Reilly is the managing general partner of the Reilly Family Limited Partnership;partner. Mr.
Reilly's three siblings, Wendell S. Reilly, Sean E. Reilly and Anna
R.Reilly Cullinan, are eachthe other general partners;
and Kevin P. Reilly, Sr., a former Chief Executive Officerpartners of the Company,
holds all of the outstanding preferred interests in the partnership.RFLP.
(4) Represents 43.8%39.5% of the Class A Stock if all shares of Class B Stock
are converted into Class A Stock.
(5) Putnam Investments, Inc. ("PIM") shares voting power as to 354,651 of
these shares with The Putnam Advisory Co., Inc. and shares dispositive
power with Putnam Investment Management, Inc., The Putnam Advisory
Co., Inc. and Putnam New Opportunities Fund as to 5,090,529, 433,588
and 2,375,000 of these shares, respectively. Based on the Schedule
13-G/A for the year ended December 31, 1997 filed by PIM with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6) Includes 1,335,7751,555,592 shares of Class A Stock held in trust for Mr.
Lamar's threetwo minor children who reside with him, as to which Mr. Lamar
disclaims beneficial ownership, and 1,500,000 shares of Class A Stock
held by CWL3, LLC, as to which Mr. Lamar is considereddeemed the beneficial
owner.
(6)(7) Includes 545,214817,821 shares of Class A Stock held in a trust, of which
LaBanc & Co. is the nominee of the trustee, for the benefit of Mrs.
Dixon, (7)as to which Mrs. Dixon disclaims beneficial ownership, and
1,650,000 shares of Class A Stock held by Mary Lee Lamar Dixon Family
LLC, as to which Mrs. Dixon is deemed the beneficial owner.
(8) Pilgrim Baxter & Associates, Ltd. ("PB&A") shares the power to vote
and has sole dispositive power over the shares. Based on the Schedule
13G for the year ended December 31, 1997 filed by PB&A with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
(9) Includes 20,00010,000 shares of Class A Stock subject to stock options
exercisable within 60 days of FebruaryMarch 1, 1997. Also includes 937 shares of
Class A Stock held by Mr. Campbell's wife and 312 shares of Class A Stock
held by Mr.Campbell's daughter, as to which he disclaims beneficial
ownership.
(8) Includes 163,654 shares of Class A Stock which are held in trust for Mr.
Coates' three children, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Also
includes 13,200 shares of Class A Stock held by a charitable remainder
trust for which Mr. Coates is the trustee and Kevin P. Reilly, Sr. is the
sole beneficiary, as to which Mr. Coates disclaims beneficial ownership.
(9) Includes 20,000 shares of Class A Stock subject to stock options
exercisable within 60 days of February 1, 1997.1998.
(10) Includes 625 shares of Class A Stock held by Mr. Marchand's son, as to
which Mr. Marchand is deemed to be the beneficial owner.
(11) Consists of 2,0003,000 shares of Class A Stock held in trust for Mr. Rome's
two children and 500750 shares of Class A Stock owned jointly with
J. King Woolf, III, as to which Mr. Rome is considered the beneficial
owner.
(12) Includes 19,600 shares of Class A Stock subject to stock options
exercisable within 60 days of February 1, 1997.
(13) Includes 99,600 shares of Class A Stock subject to stock options
exercisable within 60 days of February 1, 1997. Also includes 1,758,367
shares of Class A Stock held in trust for the benefit of the children of
directors(11) See Notes 3, 6, 9 and officers of the Company, 13,200 shares of Class A Stock held
in trust for the benefit of a parent of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, 77,273 shares of Class A Stock held by the spouses of officers of
the Company, 937 shares of Class A Stock held by the children of officers
of the Company, and 500 shares of Class A Stock held jointly by a director
of the Company.
(14)10.
(12) Assumes the conversion of all shares of Class B Stock into shares of
Class A Stock.
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The Company's executive officers and directors and persons who own
beneficially more than ten percent of the Company's equity securities are
required under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership of Company securities with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these reports must also be
furnished to the Company. Based solely on a review of the copies of reports
furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were
required, the Company believes that during its 1996 fiscal year1997 the Company's executive
officers, directors and 10% beneficial owners complied with all applicable
Section 16(a) filing requirements, except thatsubject to the following: Mr. Rome, aLamar, an
executive officer and director of the Company, reported on December 16, 1996April 20, 1998 the
purchasesales of 1,000 shares of Class A Stock inheld by trusts as to which his minor children
are beneficiaries, the open market, the reportreports for which waswere due on SeptemberJune 10, 1996.1997 and December
10, 1997.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at eightseven for the
coming year. The persons named below have been nominated for election as
directors at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on March 20, 1997,May 21, 1998, to
serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors
are elected and qualified. Each has consented to being named a nominee in this
proxy statement and to serve, if elected, as a director. If any nominee is
unable to serve, proxies will be voted for such other candidates as may be
nominated by the Board of Directors.
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast at the
meeting. Abstentions and votes withheld will not be treated as votes cast for
this purpose and will not affect the outcome of the election.
The following table contains certain information about the nominees for
director.
Business Experience During Past Five Director
Name and Age Years and Other Directorships Since
------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr. Kevin P. Reilly, Jr. has served as the Company's President and Chief 1984
Age: 4243 Executive Officer since February 1989. Mr. Reilly served as
President of the Company's Outdoor Division from 1984 to 1989.
Mr. Reilly, an employee of the Company since 1978, has also served
as Assistant and General Manager of the Company's Baton Rouge
Region and Vice President and General Manager of the Louisiana
Region. Mr. Reilly received a B.A. from Harvard University in
1977.
Dudley W. Coates Dudley W. Coates is a Senior Vice President with the investment 1973
Age: 66 brokerage firm of Legg Mason, Inc., where heKeith A. Istre Keith A. Istre has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1991
Age: 45 February 1989. Mr. Istre joined the Company as Controller in 1978
and became Treasurer in 1985. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Istre was employed since 1959.by a public accounting firm in Baton Rouge from
1975 to 1978. Mr. Coates receivedIstre graduated from the University of
Southwestern Louisiana in 1974 with a Liberal Arts degree from Yale
University in 1953.accounting.
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Business Experience During Past Five Director
Name and Age Years and Other Directorships Since
------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Keith A. Istre Keith A. Istre has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1991
Age: 44 February 1989. Mr. Istre joined the Company as Controller in 1978
and became Treasurer in 1985. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Istre was employed by a public accounting firm in Baton Rouge from
1975 to 1978. Mr. Istre graduated from the University of
Southwestern Louisiana in 1974 with a degree in accounting.
Charles W. Lamar, III Charles W. Lamar, III joined the Company in 1982 as General 1973
Age: 4849 Counsel. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lamar maintained his
own law practice and was employed by a law firm in Baton Rouge.
Mr. Lamar received a B.A. in philosophy from Harvard University
in 1971, a M.A. in Economics from Tufts University in 1972 and a
J.D. from Boston University in 1975.
Gerald H. Marchand Gerald H. Marchand has been Regional Manager of the Baton Rouge 1978
Age: 6566 Region, which encompasses operations in Louisiana, Mississippi and
Texas, since 1988. He began his career with the Company in leasing
and went on to become President of the Outdoor Division. He has
served as General Manager of the Lake Charles and Mobile operations.
Mr. Marchand received a Masters in Education from Louisiana State
University in 1955.
Jack S. Rome, Jr. Jack S. Rome, Jr. has been President of No Fault Industries, Inc., a 1974
Age: 4849 construction company specializing in outdoor recreational facilities,
since 1988. Mr. Rome has also served as President of Jack Rome,
Jr. & Associates, Inc., a management consulting company, since
October 1987. Mr. Rome served the Company in various capacities
from 1975 to 1986. Mr. Rome received his B.S. in accounting from
Southeastern Louisiana University in 1971.
William R. Schmidt William R. Schmidt is an Assistant Vice PresidentDirector of Private Placements for Pacific MutualLife 1994
Age: 45 Life46 Insurance Company in its Securities Department, where he has been
employed since 1990. He has a B.S. in its Securities Department, where he has
been employed since 1990. He has a B.S. in Finance from Pennsylvania
State University and an MBA from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the Amos Tuck
School of Business at Dartmouth College.
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T.Everettthe Amos Tuck School of
Business at Dartmouth College.
T. Everett Stewart, Jr. T. Everett Stewart, Jr. has been President of Interstate Logos, Inc., 1996
Age: 4244 a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, since 1988. He served
as Regional Manager of the Company's Baton Rouge Region from 1984
to 1988. Previously, he served the Company as Sales Manager in
Montgomery and General Manager of the Monroe and Alexandria,
Louisiana operations. Before joining the Company in 1979, Mr. Stewart
was employed by the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Alabama and
by a United States Senator from the State of Alabama. Mr. Stewart
received a B.S. in Finance from Auburn University in 1976.
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., and Charles W. Lamar, III and Robert B. Switzer, an
officer of the Company, are cousins.
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The Board of Directors held four meetings during the Company's 1996 fiscal
year.1997. Each of the
directors then in office attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings
of the Board and all meetings of the committees of the Board on which such
director then served.
The Company has standing Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board of
Directors but does not have a Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee, currently consistingwhich
until the retirement of Dudley W. Coates from the Board of Directors in December
1997, consisted of Messrs. Coates, Rome and Schmidt, held one meetingand during the Company's 1996 fiscal year.remainder of
1997 consisted of Messrs. Rome and Schmidt, held two meetings during 1997. The
primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in
the discharge of its duties and responsibilities by providing the Board with an
independent review of the financial health of the Company and of the reliability
of the Company's financial controls and financial reporting systems. The
Committee reviews the general scope of the Company's annual audit, the fee
charged by the Company's independent accountants and other matters relating to
internal control systems. For information about the Compensation Committee, see
the "Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation" below.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, which has authority to
operate the affairs of the Company between Board meetings, currently consists of
Messrs. Reilly, Istre, Lamar and Marchand.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee Report set forth below describes the Company's
compensation policies applicable to executive officers and the bases for Mr.
Reilly's compensation as Chief Executive Officer. The following graph shows a
comparison of the cumulative total shareholder returns on the Class A Stock over
the period from August 2, 1996 (the first trading day of the Class A Stock) to
OctoberDecember 31, 1996,1997 as compared with that of the Nasdaq Total Return Index and an
index of certain companies selected by the Company as comparative to the Company
in that each is an outdoor advertising company. The graph assumes $100 invested
on August 2, 1996 in Class A Stock at its initial public offering price of
$16.00$10.67 per share (as adjusted for the Company's 3-for-2 stock split effected in
February 1998 (the "Stock Split")), the Nasdaq Total Return Index and a peer
group index, with all dividends, if any, being reinvested.
COMPARISON OF THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG
LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY, THE NASDAQ TOTAL RETURN INDEX,
AND A PEER GROUP INDEX(1)
[PERFORMANCE LINE CHART]
COMPARISON OF THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG
LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY, THE NASDAQ TOTAL RETURN INDEX,
AND A PEER GROUP INDEX(1)
MEASUREMENT PERIOD LAMAR ADVERTISING NASDAQ TOTAL RE-
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) COMPANY TURN INDEX PEER GROUP INDEX=============================================================================================================================
August 2, 1996 December 31, 1996 December 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 2, 1996Lamar Advertising Company 100 152 248
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasdaq Total Return Index 100 115 140
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Peer Group Index 100 October 31, 1996 172 112 132
115 223
=============================================================================================================================
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(1) The companies selected to form the Company's industry peer group index are
Outdoor Systems, Inc., Universal Outdoor Holdings, Inc. and The Ackerley
Group, Inc., three other companies operating in the outdoor advertising
industry peer group index are
Outdoor Systems, Inc., Universal Outdoor Holdings, Inc. and Ackerley
Communications, Inc., the only other outdoor advertising companies whose equity securities are publicly traded.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee")
currently consists of Messrs. Rome (Chairman), Coates and Schmidt. On June 6,
1996, upon the resignation of Carolyn Abshire and Mary Lee Lamar DixonPrior to December
1997, when Mr. Coates retired from the Company's Board of Directors, Messrs.Mr. Coates
and Schmidt replaced Ms. Abshire
and Ms. Dixonserved as membersa member of the Committee. The Committee's responsibilities include
reviewing the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive
officers of the Company and making determinations as to such officers' cash and
equity-based compensation and benefits. The Committee met one time during the Company's 1996 fiscal year.1997.
The Company's executive compensation policy is designed to attract, retain
and reward executive officers who contribute to the long-term success of the
Company by maintaining a competitive salary structure and aligning individual
compensation with the achievement of corporate and individual performance
objectives.
The Committee reviews the entire executive compensation package for each
officer, which consists of base salary, annual cash bonuses and stock option
grants under the Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Overall, the Committee has determined that executive officer base salaries
and cash bonuses should be based on industry averages for comparable positions
as well as on individual and corporate performance.
For 1996,1997, the Chief Executive Officer made recommendations to the Committee
as to base salary amounts for each executive officer (including himself) based
on his assessment of each officer's individual performance and current level of
compensation. The Committee evaluated the Chief Executive Officer's
recommendations, taking into account the officer's tenure in his position, the
Committee's subjective assessment of individual performance and the Company's
overall performance during the prior year. The Committee also relied on its
knowledge of the outdoor advertising industry, salaries paid by other outdoor
advertising companies for similar positions and the current financial
environment within the Company's industry. Based on its evaluation, the
Committee approved the Chief Executive Officer's recommendations as to the base
compensation of each executive officer. The base salary of the Chief Executive
Officer increased 50%remained the same in 1996, his first base salary increase since 1993, in an
attempt to bring his base compensation closer to that of other chief executive
officers in the outdoor advertising industry.1997. Increases in base salary for the Company's
other executive officers ranged from 0 to 12.5%13% during fiscal 1996.
The Company's executive officers who are responsible for the operation of
its profit centers are also compensated under a performance-based program in
which cash bonuses are awarded on a sliding scale based on the extent to which
the Company's financial goals set at the beginning of each fiscal year are met
or exceeded. The chief executive and other executive staff officers receive
bonus compensation from a pool (not to exceed 1.5% of the Company's earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") in any one
year) established by the Committee.1997.
Each year, the Chief Executive Officer proposes to the Committee the size
of annual bonuses, taking into account the size of the pool, the growth of the
Company for that year and each officer's individual performance. In 1996,1997, cash
bonuses paid to the Chief Executive Officer and other executive staff officers from this
pool amounted to 1.1%1.0% of the Company's EBITDA. The Chief Executive Officer's
bonus was based on the overall financial performance of the Company during 1996, including1997
and the successful completion of over $320 million in acquisitions during the
Company's initial public equity offering (the
"IPO") in August 1996.
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11year.
STOCK OPTIONS
The Committee believes that stock option grants align the interests of
management with those of the Company's stockholders. In that regard, the
Committee granted stock options to certainMr. Istre in August 1996 upon completion of
the Company's executive officers
atinitial public equity offering. Because the timemajority of the
IPO. Executive officers who were stockholders ofoptions granted to Mr. Istre remain unvested, the Company
at the time of the IPO wereCommittee determined not grantedto
grant additional stock options. Persons who had been
executive officers five years or longer received options to purchase
approximately 100,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock with an
exercise price equal to the IPO price. Persons who had been executive officers
less than five years received options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company's
Class A common stock with an exercise price equal to the IPO price. In
determining the size of option grants, the Committee used the same data it
reviewedMr. Istre in setting base salaries and bonus compensation. The Committee also
considered the extent of equity ownership in other outdoor advertising companies
by their executive officers. In addition, the Committee believes that a
significant percentage of any executive officer's stock options should remain
unvested in order to provide further incentives to such officers and, therefore,
the options that were granted vest over a four-year period.1997.
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11
DEDUCTION LIMIT FOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits a publicly held
company's tax deduction for compensation paid to the chief executive officer and
the other four most highly paid officers. Generally, amounts paid in excess of
$1,000,000 to a covered executive in any year cannot be deducted. Certain
performance-based compensation that has been approved by stockholders is not
subject to the limit. The Company does not expect to have compensation exceeding
the $1,000,000 limitation for the foreseeable future. Stock options granted
under the 1996 Plan are not subject to the limitation under applicable
regulations. In addition, the Committee will consider as appropriate other ways
to maximize the deductibility of executive compensation, while retaining the
discretion to compensate certain executive officers in a manner commensurate
with performance and the competitive environment for executive talent without
regard to deductibility.
By the Compensation Committee,
Dudley W. Coates
Jack S. Rome, Jr.
William R. Schmidt
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12
The following tables set forth certain compensation information for the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and each of the four most highly
compensatedother executive officers of the Company other than the Chief Executive
Officer whose fiscal year 1996 salary and bonus exceeded $100,000.Company.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Shares of
Name and Other Annual Class A Stock
Principal Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) Compensation($)(1) Underlying Options(#)
- ------------------ ---- --------- -------- ------------------ ---------------------
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr. 1997 180,000 350,000 57,500 --
President and Chief Executive 1996 180,000 250,000 6,500 --
President and Chief Executive
Officer 1995 120,000 200,000 5,500 --
1994 120,000 150,000 5,000 --
Gerald H. Marchand 1996 106,000 143,515 50,000 --
Vice President, Regional Manager 1995 106,000 156,543 50,000 --
of Baton Rouge Region 1994 106,000 197,443 50,000 --
T. Everett Stewart, Jr. 1996 90,000 130,000 5,500 98,000
President of Interstate Logos, Inc. 1995 80,000 116,500 4,500 --
1994 80,000 65,000 4,000 --
Keith A. Istre 1997 102,000 200,000 15,000 --
Treasurer and Chief Financial 1996 90,000 125,000 6,500 100,000
Vice President and Chief FinancialOfficer 1995 80,000 75,000 6,000 --
Officer 1994 80,000 65,000 5,500Charles W. Lamar, III 1997 89,000 40,000 -- Robert E. Campbell--
Secretary and General Counsel 1996 90,000 105,870 7,500 100,000
Vice President, Regional Manager89,000 40,000 -- --
1995 90,000 96,984 7,50089,000 43,300 -- of Central Region 1994 90,000 73,208 7,500 --
--
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(1) The reported amounts consist of employer contributions under the Company's
deferred compensation plan.
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13
The following table provides required information concerning the grant of
stock options, under the 1996 Plan maintained by the Company, to Messrs. Reilly,
Marchand, Stewart, Istre and Campbell during the last fiscal year. In addition,
the table shows hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the respective
options if exercised at the end of the option term. These gains are based on
assumed rates of stock price appreciation of 5% and 10%, compounded annually,
from the date the options were granted to their expiration date. This table does
not take into account any change in the price of the Class A Stock to date, nor
does the Company make any representation regarding the rate of its appreciation.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
Potential Realizable Value At
Number of Assumed Annual Rates of
Shares of Percent of Stock Price Appreciation For
Class A Stock Total Options Option Term(1)
Underlying Granted to Exercise or ----------------------------
Options Employees in Base Price Expiration
Name Granted(#) Fiscal Year (per share) Date 5% 10%
---- -------------- --------------- ------------- ------------ -- ---
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr. -- -- -- -- -- --
Gerald H. Marchand -- -- -- -- -- --
T. Everett Stewart, Jr. 98,000(2) 8.3 $16.00 8/02/06 $971,488 $2,485,984
Keith A. Istre 100,000(2) 8.5 $16.00 8/02/06 $1,008,000 $2,544,000
Robert E. Campbell 100,000(2) 8.5 $16.00 8/02/06 $1,008,000 $2,544,000
- ----------------------
(1) The dollar amounts under these columns are the results of calculations
at the 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission
and, therefore, are not intended to forecast possible future
appreciation, if any, in the price of the underlying Class A Stock. No
gain to the optionees is possible without an increase in price of the
Class A Stock, which will benefit all stockholders proportionately. In
order to realize the potential values set forth in the 5% and 10%
columns of this table, the trading price of the Class A Stock would
have to be approximately 63% and 159% above the market value of the
underlying shares on the date the options were granted, or
approximately $26.08 and $41.44, respectively.
(2) These options, which were granted on August 2, 1996, have a term of ten
years, have an exercise price equal to the initial public offering
price of the Class A Stock, became exercisable with respect to 20% of
such shares on the date of grant and become exercisable as to an
additional 20% of such shares on each of the next four anniversaries of
the date of grant.
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14
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUE
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised in-the-Money
Options at Options at
Shares Fiscal Year-End(#) Fiscal Year-End($)
Acquired on Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise(#) Realized($) Unexercisable Unexercisable(1) Unexercisable(1)(2)
---- ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------------------------------ -------------------
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr. 0 --- 0/0 0/0
Gerald H. Marchand 0 --- 0/0 0/0
T. Everett Stewart, Jr. 0 --- 19,600/78,400 225,400/901,600
Keith A. Istre 0 --- 20,000/80,000 230,000/920,000
Robert E. Campbell60,000/90,000 950,000/1,425,000
Charles W. Lamar 0 --- 20,000/80,000 230,000/920,000
- ----------------------
(1) Based on the difference between the option exercise price and the
closing price of the underlying Class A Stock on October 31, 1996,
which closing price was $27.50.0/0 0/0
- ----------------------
(1) As adjusted for the Stock Split.
(2) Based on the difference between the option exercise price and the closing
price of the underlying Class A Stock on December 31, 1997, which closing
price was $26.50 (as adjusted for the Stock Split).
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Directors who are not employed by the Company receive a fee of $2,500 for
each meeting of the Board of Directors attended and are reimbursed for travel
expenses incurred to attend such meetings.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During the fiscal year ended OctoberDecember 31, 1996,1997, the Company's Compensation
Committee consisted of Messrs. Coates, Rome and Schmidt.Schmidt and, until his retirement from
the Board of Directors in November 1997, Mr. Coates. Mr. Rome was employed by
the Company from 1975 to 1986 and has taken out personal loans from the Company.
See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" below.
Ms. Dixon, a member of the Company's Compensation Committee until August
1996, has received payments from the Company in connection with certain stock
repurchases and has made an investment in one of the Company's suppliers. See
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" below.
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1514
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company has from time to time made various personal loans to the
persons listed below. The loans bear interest at a rate equal to 100 basis
points above the rate applicable to United State Treasury six-month bills.
Largest Outstanding
Balance Since
Beginning of Last Balance Outstanding as
Name Fiscal Year of December 31, 1996
---- ------------------- ----------------------
Jack S. Rome(1) $147,230 $116,647
Robert B. Switzer(2) 50,592 50,592
Wendell S. Reilly(3) 500,000 50,000
Kevin P. Reilly, Sr.(3)(4) 132,403 34,030
T. Everett Stewart, Jr.(1)(2) 42,500 27,000
Anna Reilly Cullinan(3) 55,000
Largest Outstanding
Balance Since
Beginning of Last Balance Outstanding as
Name Fiscal Year of December 31, 1997
---- -------------------- ----------------------
Jack S. Rome(1) $106,314 $73,334
Wendell S. Reilly(2) 50,000 0
T. Everett Stewart, Jr.(1) 91,862 0
Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.(1)(2)(3) 125,000 0
Sean E. Reilly(2) 58,532 0
- ----------------------
(1) The named individual is a director of the Company.
(2) The named individual is an executive officer of the Company.
(3) Member of the Reilly family.
(4) Kevin P. Reilly, Sr. was President and Chairman of the Board of Company
until January 1992.
In October 1995 and in March 1996, the Company repurchased 3.6% and 12.9%,
respectively, of its then outstanding common stock (1,220,500 and 3,617,884
shares, respectively, after giving effect to the 778.9 for 1 split of the
Company's then-existing common stock in July 1996) from certain of its existing
stockholders for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.0 million. The
terms of the March 1996 repurchase entitled the selling stockholders to receive
additional consideration from the Company in the event that the Company
consummated a public offering of its common stock at a higher price within 24
months of the repurchase. In satisfaction of that obligation, upon completion of
such an offering in August 1996 (the "IPO"), the Company paid the selling
stockholders an aggregate of $5.0 million in cash from the proceeds of the IPO
and issued to them $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of ten-year
subordinated notes. Of the $25.0 million paid on account of the common stock
repurchased, an aggregate of $6.3 million was paid to Charles W. Lamar, III,
Mary Lee Lamar Dixon and Gerald H. Marchand.
On December 31, 1995, the Company issued 5,719.49 shares of its Class A
Preferred Stock with an aggregate liquidation preference of $3.6 million to
certain of its stockholders in exchange for an equal number of shares of its
then outstanding common stock. Of the Class A Preferred Stock so issued,
3,134.80 shares were issued to the Reilly Family Limited Partnership, 1,500
shares to Charles W. Lamar, III and 1,084.69 shares to Mary Lee Lamar Dixon and
trusts for her children.
The Company has made investments totalling $1.25 million in Wireless One,
Inc. ("Wireless"), a publicly-held company in the wireless cable business, of whichbusiness. Sean
E. Reilly, a former director of the Company and the brother of the - 13 -
16
Company's
Chief Executive Officer, iswas the Chief Executive Officer.Officer of Wireless until
August 1997. The current market value of these investments which are restricted from sale by the Company
until October 1997, exceedsis less than the
Company's cost.
In October 1996, certain directors, officers and 5% stockholders of the
Company and members of their immediate families invested in Interstate Highway
Signs, Inc. ("IHS"), a privately-held company that manufactures the signs on
which many of the Company's logo sign plates are affixed. Prior to such
investment, the Board of Directors of the Company determined that it was not an
investment of interest to the Company because the business of IHS was not
consistent with the Company's overall business strategy and because IHS did not
provide margins at the level historically produced by the Company. The Company
has in the past purchased logo signs from IHS as one of its suppliers on
competitive terms and expects to continue to do so. The Company made
approximately $3,000,000 in payments to IHS during 1996, which represents
approximately 13% of IHS's revenues during such period. Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.,
Robert B. Switzer, Charles W. Lamar, III, Mary Lee Lamar Dixon, Gerald H.
Marchand, Dudley W. Coates and Jack S. Rome, Jr. and members of their immediate
families have invested an aggregate of approximately $1.7 million in IHS, and
own approximately 25.7%, 19.4%, 5.2%, 5.2%, 3.9%, 1.6% and 1.5%, respectively,
of the outstanding capital stock of IHS (on an as-converted basis). Mr. Reilly
is Chairman of the Board and Mr. Switzer is a director of IHS.
INFORMATION CONCERNING AUDITORS
The firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent accountants, examined the
Company's financial statements for the year ended OctoberDecember 31, 1996.1997. The Board
of Directors has appointed KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to serve as the Company's
auditors for its fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.1998. Representatives of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP are expected to attend the annual meeting to respond to
appropriate questions, and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they
desire.
DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the
Company's proxy materials for the 19981999 annual meeting, it must be received by
the Company at 5551 Corporate Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808,
Attention: Secretary, no later than October 24, 1997.December 18, 1998.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The Company will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies, including
the charges and expenses of brokerage firms and others of forwarding
solicitation material to beneficial owners of stock. In addition to the use
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15
of mails, proxies may be solicited by officers and any regular employees of the
Company in person or by telephone. The Company expects that the costs incurred
in the solicitation of proxies will be nominal.
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17
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any business to come before the
meeting other than the matters described in the notice. If other business is
properly presented for consideration at the meeting, the enclosed proxy
authorizes the persons named therein to vote the shares in their discretion.
February 21, 1997April 23, 1998
- 1513 -
1816
(FRONT OF PROXY CARD)
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MARCH 20, 1997MAY 21, 1998
LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
The undersigned stockholder of Lamar Advertising Company (the "Company")
hereby appoints Kevin P. Reilly, Jr., Keith A. Istre and Charles W. Lamar, III,
and each of them acting singly, the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned,
with full power of substitution, to vote on behalf of the undersigned all of the
shares of capital stock of the Company that the undersigned is entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held March 20, 1997,May 21, 1998,
and at all adjournments thereof, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given with
respect to such shares.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE ALSO AUTHORIZED TO
VOTE UPON SUCH MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
PLEASE SIGN AND MAIL PROXY TODAY
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE ON REVERSE [ ]
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)
[SEE REVERSE SIDE]
1917
(REVERSE OF PROXY CARD)
[ X ][X] PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES AS THIS EXAMPLE.
FOR WITHHELD
All nominees For all nominees
1. Proposal to elect directors [ ] [ ]
FOR, except withheld from the following nominee(s):
_______________________________________________________________
Nominees: Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.
Dudley W. Coates
Keith A. Istre
Charles W. Lamar, III
Gerald H. Marchand
Jack S. Rome, Jr.
William R. Schmidt
T. Everett Stewart, Jr.
Signature: ________________________ Date: ______________________________________
Signature: ________________________ Date: ______________________________________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears on stock certificate. When shares are
held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full title as
such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President
or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
name by authorized person.
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