Lamar Advertising (LAMR) 10-Q 6 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
		Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]	LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
					Class Units [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'LAMR	'	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LAMAR ADVERTISING CO/NEW	'	'	'LAMAR MEDIA CORP/DE	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001090425	'	'	'0000899045	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	80,820,342	14,610,365	'	100

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$27,957	$33,212
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	180,584	161,741
Prepaid expenses	60,956	42,048
Deferred income tax assets	10,763	10,378
Other current assets	34,616	34,679
Total current assets	314,876	282,058
Property, plant and equipment	3,102,112	3,036,456
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,006,749	-1,914,527
Net property, plant and equipment	1,095,363	1,121,929
Goodwill	1,512,206	1,503,553
Intangible assets	376,091	419,385
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	33,800	30,290
Other assets	37,424	44,403
Total assets	3,369,760	3,401,618
Current liabilities:	'	'
Trade accounts payable	17,981	13,341
Current maturities of long-term debt	15,604	55,935
Accrued expenses	93,891	98,924
Deferred income	97,324	77,153
Total current liabilities	224,800	245,353
Long-term debt	1,925,476	1,882,867
Deferred income tax liabilities	145,685	119,150
Asset retirement obligation	203,668	200,831
Other liabilities	22,918	20,471
Total liabilities	2,522,547	2,468,672
Stockholder's equity:	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,500,984	2,470,375
Accumulated comprehensive income	3,352	3,867
Accumulated deficit	-760,418	-647,577
Stockholders' equity	847,213	932,946
Cost of shares held in treasury, 17,270,930 and 17,216,635 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	-896,818	-893,831
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	3,369,760	3,401,618
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]	'	'
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	27,457	32,712
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	180,584	161,741
Prepaid expenses	60,956	42,048
Deferred income tax assets	10,763	10,378
Other current assets	34,616	34,679
Total current assets	314,376	281,558
Property, plant and equipment	3,102,112	3,036,456
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,006,749	-1,914,527
Net property, plant and equipment	1,095,363	1,121,929
Goodwill	1,502,055	1,493,401
Intangible assets	375,623	418,919
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	31,846	28,336
Other assets	32,139	39,118
Total assets	3,351,402	3,383,261
Current liabilities:	'	'
Trade accounts payable	17,981	13,341
Current maturities of long-term debt	15,604	55,935
Accrued expenses	90,059	95,632
Deferred income	97,324	77,153
Total current liabilities	220,968	242,061
Long-term debt	1,925,476	1,882,867
Deferred income tax liabilities	179,173	152,541
Asset retirement obligation	203,668	200,831
Other liabilities	22,918	20,471
Total liabilities	2,552,203	2,498,771
Stockholder's equity:	'	'
Common stock, value	0	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,674,623	2,644,015
Accumulated comprehensive income	3,352	3,867
Accumulated deficit	-1,878,776	-1,763,392
Stockholders' equity	799,199	884,490
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	3,351,402	3,383,261
Series AA Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholder's equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, value	0	'
Preferred Class A [Member]	'	'
Stockholder's equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, value	0	'
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Stockholder's equity:	'	'
Common stock, value	98	97
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Stockholder's equity:	'	'
Common stock, value	$15	$15

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$8,480	$7,615
Accumulated amortization	13,608	25,180
Shares held in treasury	17,270,930	17,216,635
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	8,480	7,615
Accumulated amortization	$4,321	$15,893
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	100	100
Common stock, shares outstanding	100	100
Series AA Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, cumulative dividends	$63.80	$63.80
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,720	5,720
Preferred stock, shares issued	5,720	5,720
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	5,720	5,720
Preferred Class A [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$638	$638
Preferred stock, cumulative dividends	$63.80	$63.80
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	98,083,772	97,426,144
Common stock, shares outstanding	80,812,842	80,209,509
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	37,500,000	37,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	14,610,365	14,610,365
Common stock, shares outstanding	14,610,365	14,610,365

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net revenues	$334,998	$321,141	$950,364	$925,490
Operating expenses (income)	'	'	'	'
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	112,388	109,640	338,173	326,882
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	58,181	57,033	171,912	176,158
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	16,505	14,843	48,824	45,451
Depreciation and amortization	62,675	73,183	203,250	219,492
Gain on disposition of assets	-775	-787	-2,001	-2,094
Total Operating Expenses	248,974	253,912	760,158	765,889
Operating income	86,024	67,229	190,206	159,601
Other expense (income)	'	'	'	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	26,023	'
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment	'	'	4,069	'
Interest income	-11	-42	-99	-121
Interest expense	24,418	37,677	80,772	112,264
Non-operating (Income) Expenses	24,407	37,635	110,765	112,143
Income before income tax expense	61,617	29,594	79,441	47,458
Income tax expense	26,567	12,500	33,806	17,505
Net income	35,050	17,094	45,635	29,953
Preferred stock dividends	91	91	273	273
Net income applicable to common stock	34,959	17,003	45,362	29,680
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share	$0.37	$0.18	$0.48	$0.31
Diluted earnings per share	$0.37	$0.18	$0.48	$0.31
Cash dividends declared per share common stock	$0.83	'	$1.66	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	95,330,141	94,528,877	95,138,504	94,282,629
Incremental common shares from dilutive stock options	423,381	398,192	409,594	409,500
Weighted average common shares diluted	95,753,522	94,927,069	95,548,098	94,692,129
Statements of Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Net income	35,050	17,094	45,635	29,953
Other comprehensive income loss, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments	-800	534	-515	-1,005
Comprehensive income	34,250	17,628	45,120	28,948
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	334,998	321,141	950,364	925,490
Operating expenses (income)	'	'	'	'
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	112,388	109,640	338,173	326,882
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	58,181	57,033	171,912	176,158
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	16,433	14,763	48,557	45,190
Depreciation and amortization	62,675	73,183	203,250	219,492
Gain on disposition of assets	-775	-787	-2,001	-2,094
Total Operating Expenses	248,902	253,832	759,891	765,628
Operating income	86,096	67,309	190,473	159,862
Other expense (income)	'	'	'	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	'	26,023	'
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment	'	'	4,069	'
Interest income	-11	-42	-99	-121
Interest expense	24,418	37,677	80,772	112,264
Non-operating (Income) Expenses	24,407	37,635	110,765	112,143
Income before income tax expense	61,689	29,674	79,708	47,719
Income tax expense	26,586	12,530	33,903	17,609
Net income	35,103	17,144	45,805	30,110
Statements of Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Net income	35,103	17,144	45,805	30,110
Other comprehensive income loss, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments	-800	534	-515	-1,005
Comprehensive income	$34,303	$17,678	$45,290	$29,105

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$45,635	$29,953
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	203,250	219,492
Non-cash equity based compensation	15,987	23,107
Amortization included in interest expense	3,623	11,354
Gain on disposition of assets and investments	-2,001	-2,094
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment	4,069	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	26,023	'
Deferred tax expense	25,042	14,752
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,457	4,949
(Increase) decrease in:	'	'
Receivables	-23,218	-22,485
Prepaid expenses	-18,366	-17,852
Other assets	199	1,204
Increase (decrease) in:	'	'
Trade accounts payable	2,695	2,236
Accrued expenses	-3,048	18,116
Other liabilities	18,857	11,952
Net cash provided by operating activities	303,204	294,684
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisitions	-54,138	-83,776
Capital expenditures	-83,876	-77,677
Proceeds from disposition of assets	2,623	4,771
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable	4,455	-361
Net cash used in investing activities	-130,936	-157,043
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Debt issuance costs	-17,362	-90
Cash used for purchase of treasury stock	-2,987	-4,200
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	16,382	15,711
Proceeds received under revolving credit facility	260,000	'
Payment on revolving credit facility	-308,000	'
Principal payments on long term debt	-7,571	-24,441
Proceeds received from note offering	510,000	'
Payment on senior credit facility	-352,106	'
Payment on senior subordinated notes	-415,752	'
Proceeds received from senior credit facility	300,000	'
Distributions	-914	'
Dividends	-158,476	-273
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-176,786	-13,293
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents	-737	-594
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-5,255	123,754
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	33,212	58,911
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	27,957	182,665
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	78,775	85,170
Cash paid for foreign, state and federal income taxes	9,860	2,467
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	45,805	30,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	203,250	219,492
Non-cash equity based compensation	15,987	23,107
Amortization included in interest expense	3,623	11,354
Gain on disposition of assets and investments	-2,001	-2,094
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment	4,069	'
Loss on extinguishment of debt	26,023	'
Deferred tax expense	25,139	14,857
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,457	4,949
(Increase) decrease in:	'	'
Receivables	-23,218	-22,485
Prepaid expenses	-18,366	-17,852
Other assets	199	1,204
Increase (decrease) in:	'	'
Trade accounts payable	2,695	2,236
Accrued expenses	-3,048	18,116
Other liabilities	4,089	-3,484
Net cash provided by operating activities	288,703	279,510
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisitions	-54,138	-83,776
Capital expenditures	-83,876	-77,677
Proceeds from disposition of assets	2,623	4,771
Decrease (increase) in notes receivable	4,455	-361
Net cash used in investing activities	-130,936	-157,043
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Debt issuance costs	-17,362	-90
Proceeds received under revolving credit facility	260,000	'
Payment on revolving credit facility	-308,000	'
Principal payments on long term debt	-7,571	-24,441
Proceeds received from note offering	510,000	'
Payment on senior credit facility	-352,106	'
Payment on senior subordinated notes	-415,752	'
Proceeds received from senior credit facility	300,000	'
Distributions	-914	'
Contributions from parent	30,609	30,612
Dividend to parent	-161,189	-4,200
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-162,285	1,881
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents	-737	-594
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-5,255	123,754
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	32,712	58,411
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	27,457	182,165
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	78,775	85,170
Cash paid for foreign, state and federal income taxes	$9,860	$2,467

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1. Significant Accounting Policies
	The information included in the foregoing interim condensed consolidated financial statements is unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2013 Combined Form 10-K. Subsequent events, if any, are evaluated through the date on which the financial statements are issued.
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1. Significant Accounting Policies
	The information included in the foregoing interim condensed consolidated financial statements is unaudited. In the opinion of management all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of Lamar Media’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Lamar Media’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2013 Combined Form 10-K.
	Certain notes are not provided for the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as the information in notes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements of Lamar Advertising included elsewhere in this report is substantially equivalent to that required for the condensed consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media Earnings per share data is not provided for Lamar Media, as it is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	2. Stock-Based Compensation
	Equity Incentive Plan. Lamar Advertising’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, (the “Incentive Plan”) has reserved 15.5 million shares of Class A common stock for issuance to directors and employees, including shares underlying granted options and common stock reserved for issuance under its performance-based incentive program. Options granted under the plan expire ten years from the grant date with vesting terms ranging from three to five years and include 1) options that vest in one-fifth increments beginning on the grant date and continuing on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and 2) options that cliff-vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. All grants are made at fair market value based on the closing price of our Class A common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of grant.
	We use a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model incorporates various and highly subjective assumptions, including expected term and expected volatility. The Company granted options for an aggregate of 69,000 shares of its Class A common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Stock Purchase Plan. In 2009 our board of directors adopted a new employee stock purchase plan, the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or 2009 ESPP, which was approved by our shareholders on May 28, 2009. The 2009 ESPP reserved 588,154 shares of Class A common stock for issuance to our employees, which included 88,154 shares of Class A common stock that had been available for issuance under our 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or 2000 ESPP. The 2000 ESPP was terminated following the issuance of all shares that were subject to the offer that commenced under the 2000 ESPP on January 1, 2009 and ended June 30, 2009. The terms of the 2009 ESPP are substantially the same as the 2000 ESPP.
	The number of shares of Class A common stock available under the 2009 ESPP was automatically increased by 80,209 shares on January 1, 2014 pursuant to the automatic increase provisions of the 2009 ESPP.
	The following is a summary of the 2009 ESPP share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Shares
	Available for future purchases, January 1, 2014		327,689
	Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP		80,209
	Purchases		(76,067	)
	Available for future purchases, September 30, 2014		331,831
	Performance-based compensation. Unrestricted shares of our Class A common stock may be awarded to key officers, employees and directors under our 1996 Equity Incentive Plan. The number of shares to be issued, if any, will be dependent on the level of achievement of performance measures for key officers and employees, as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee based on our 2014 results. Any shares issued based on the achievement of performance goals will be issued in the first quarter of 2015. The shares subject to these awards can range from a minimum of 0% to a maximum of 100% of the target number of shares depending on the level at which the goals are attained. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company has recorded $8,439 as non-cash compensation expense related to performance-based awards. In addition, each of our non-employee directors automatically receive upon election or re-election a restricted stock award of our Class A common stock. These awards vest 50% on grant date and 50% on the last day of each director’s one year term. The Company recorded $224 non-cash compensation expense related to these awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	3. Acquisitions
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company completed several acquisitions of outdoor advertising assets for a total purchase price of $54,138 in cash.
	Each of these acquisitions was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition. The acquisition costs have been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on preliminary fair value estimates at the dates of acquisition. The allocations are pending final determination of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities. The following is a summary of the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions.
		Total
	Property, plant and equipment	$	8,652
	Goodwill		8,778
	Site locations		29,458
	Non-competition agreements		105
	Customer lists and contracts		6,471
	Other assets		830
	Current liabilities		(156	)
		$	54,138

Depreciation_and_Amortization

Depreciation and Amortization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Depreciation and Amortization	'
	4. Depreciation and Amortization
	The Company includes all categories of depreciation and amortization on a separate line in its Statements of Operations. The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statements of Operations are:
		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Direct advertising expenses	$	58,562	$	69,040	$	191,100	$	207,265
	General and administrative expenses		1,082		1,151		3,183		2,921
	Corporate expenses		3,031		2,992		8,967		9,306
		$	62,675	$	73,183	$	203,250	$	219,492

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The following is a summary of intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		Estimated		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Life		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
		(Years)		Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amortization
	Customer lists and contracts		7—10	$	498,664	$	468,423	$	492,299	$	463,188
	Non-competition agreements		3—15		64,035		63,127		63,933		62,914
	Site locations		15		1,524,344		1,179,936		1,495,635		1,106,947
	Other		5—15		14,008		13,474		14,008		13,441
				$	2,101,051	$	1,724,960	$	2,065,875	$	1,646,490
	Unamortizable intangible assets:
	Goodwill			$	1,765,742	$	253,536	$	1,757,089	$	253,536

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	6. Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company’s asset retirement obligations include the costs associated with the removal of its structures, resurfacing of the land and retirement cost, if applicable, related to the Company’s outdoor advertising portfolio. The following table reflects information related to our asset retirement obligations:
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	200,831
	Additions to asset retirement obligations		1,057
	Accretion expense		3,953
	Liabilities settled		(2,173	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	203,668

Summarized_Financial_Informati

Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries	'
	7. Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries
	Separate financial statements of each of the Company’s direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries that have guaranteed Lamar Media’s obligations with respect to its publicly issued notes (collectively, the “Guarantors”) are not included herein because the Company has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, and the only subsidiaries that are not guarantors are in the aggregate minor.
	Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is restricted under both the terms of the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes and by the terms of its senior credit facility. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Lamar Media was permitted under the terms of its outstanding senior subordinated and senior notes to make transfers to Lamar Advertising in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances in amounts up to $2,226,353 and $2,072,542, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2014, transfers to Lamar Advertising are permitted under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and as defined therein, unless, after giving effect such distributions, (i) the total debt ratio is equal to or greater than 6.0 to 1 or (ii) the senior debt ratio is equal to or greater than 3.5 to 1. As of September 30, 2014, the total debt ratio was less than 6.0 to 1 and Lamar Media’s senior debt ratio was less than 3.5 to 1; therefore, dividends or distributions to Lamar Advertising were not subject to any additional restrictions under the senior credit facility. In addition, as of September 30, 2014 the senior credit facility allows Lamar Media to conduct its affairs in a manner that would allow Lamar Advertising to qualify and remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, including by allowing Lamar Media to make distributions to Lamar Advertising required for Lamar Advertising to qualify and remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, subject to certain restrictions.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	8. Earnings Per Share
	The calculation of basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effect of stock options, while diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 there were no dilutive shares excluded from this calculation resulting from the anti-dilutive effect of stock options.

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	9. Long-term Debt
	Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Senior Credit Facility		$	394,500		$	502,106
	7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes			—			400,000
	5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes			500,000			500,000
	5% Senior Subordinated Notes			535,000			535,000
	5 3/8% Senior Notes			510,000			—
	Other notes with various rates and terms			1,580			1,696
				1,941,080			1,938,802
	Less current maturities			(15,604	)		(55,935	)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities		$	1,925,476		$	1,882,867
	7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
	On April 22, 2010, Lamar Media issued $400,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the “7 7/8% Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $392,000. On or after April 15, 2014, Lamar Media may redeem the 7 7/8% Notes, in whole or part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 7 7/8% Notes. On April 21, 2014, Lamar Media redeemed in full all $400,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 7 7/8% Notes. A loss of $20,847 was recorded as a result of this transaction, of which $5,095 was non-cash. No 7 7/8% Notes remained outstanding as of September 30, 2014.
	5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
	On February 9, 2012, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2022 (the “5 7/8% Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $489,000.
	Lamar Media may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5 7/8% Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 105.875% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before February 1, 2015, provided that following the redemption, at least 65% of the 5 7/8% Notes that were originally issued remain outstanding. At any time prior to February 1, 2017, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the 5 7/8% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium. On or after February 1, 2017, Lamar Media may redeem the 5 7/8% Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 5 7/8% Notes. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s 5 7/8% Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5 7/8% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not including the repurchase date.
	5% Senior Subordinated Notes
	On October 30, 2012, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $535,000 aggregate principal amount of 5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “5% Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $527,100.
	Lamar Media may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5% Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 105% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before November 1, 2015, provided that following the redemption, at least 65% of the 5% Notes that were originally issued remain outstanding. At any time prior to May 1, 2018, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the 5% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium. On or after May 1, 2018, Lamar Media may redeem the 5% Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 5% Notes. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s 5% Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not including the repurchase date.
	5 3/8% Senior Notes
	On January 10, 2014, Lamar Media completed an institutional private placement of $510,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 3/8% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “5 3/8% Senior Notes”). The institutional private placement resulted in net proceeds to Lamar Media of approximately $502,300.
	Lamar Media may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5 3/8% Senior Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a price equal to 105 3/8% of the aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, with the net cash proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before January 15, 2017, provided that following the redemption, at least 65% of the 5 3/8% Senior Notes that were originally issued remain outstanding and any such redemption occurs within 120 days following the closing of any such public equity offering. At any time prior to January 15, 2019, Lamar Media may redeem some or all of the 5 3/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and a make-whole premium. On or after January 15, 2019, Lamar Media may redeem the 5 3/8% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at redemption prices specified in the 5 3/8% Senior Notes. In addition, if the Company or Lamar Media undergoes a change of control, Lamar Media may be required to make an offer to purchase each holder’s 5 3/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5 3/8% Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, up to but not including the repurchase date.
	Senior Credit Facility
	On January 10, 2014, Lamar Media paid in full the outstanding balance of the term loans then outstanding under its senior credit facility. The Company incurred a non-cash loss of $5,176 related to this transaction.
	On February 3, 2014, Lamar Media entered into a Second Restatement Agreement (the “Second Restatement Agreement”) with the Company, certain of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries as Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the Lenders named therein, under which the parties agreed to amend and restate Lamar Media’s existing senior credit facility on the terms set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement attached as Exhibit A to the Second Restatement Agreement (such Second and Amended and Restated Credit Agreement together with the Second Restatement Agreement being herein referred to as the “senior credit facility”). The senior credit facility consists of a $400,000 revolving credit facility and a $500,000 incremental facility. Lamar Media is the borrower under the senior credit facility. We may also from time to time designate wholly-owned subsidiaries as subsidiary borrowers under the incremental loan facility. Incremental loans may be in the form of additional term loan tranches or increases in the revolving credit facility. Our lenders have no obligation to make additional loans to us, or any designated subsidiary borrower, under the incremental facility, but may enter into such commitments in their sole discretion.
	On April 18, 2014, Lamar Media entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) with Lamar Advertising, certain of Lamar Media’s subsidiaries as Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and the Lenders named therein under which the parties agreed to amend Lamar Media’s existing senior credit facility on the terms set forth in the Amendment. The Amendment created a new $300,000 Term A Loan facility (the “Term A Loans”) and certain other amendments to the senior credit agreement. The Term A Loans are not incremental loans and do not reduce the existing $500,000 Incremental Loan facility. Lamar Media borrowed all $300,000 in Term A Loans on April 18, 2014. The net loan proceeds, together with borrowings under the revolving portion of the senior credit facility and cash on hand, were used to fund the redemption of all $400,000 in aggregate principal amount of Lamar Media’s 7 7/8% Notes due 2018 on April 21, 2014.
	The Term A Loans began amortizing on June 30, 2014 in quarterly installments on each September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30 thereafter, as follows:
	Principal Payment Date		Principal Amount
	December 31, 2014-March 31, 2016		$	3,750
	June 30, 2016- March 31, 2017		$	5,625
	June 30, 2017-December 31, 2018		$	11,250
	Term A Loan Maturity Date		$	168,750
	The Term A loans and revolving credit facility bear interest at rates based on the Adjusted LIBO Rate (“Eurodollar loans”) or the Adjusted Base Rate (“Base Rate loans”), at Lamar Media’s option. Eurodollar loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO rate plus 2.25% (or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 2.00% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 4.25 to 1; or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.75% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1). Base Rate Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Base Rate plus 1.00% (or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 0.75% at any time the Total Debt Ratio is less than or equal to 3.00 to 1). The guarantees, covenants, events of default and other terms of the senior credit facility apply to the Term A Loans and revolving credit facility.
	As of September 30, 2014, there was $102,000 outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Availability under the revolving facility is reduced by the amount of any letters of credit outstanding. Lamar Media had $6,846 letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2014 resulting in $291,154 of availability under its revolving facility. Revolving credit loans may be requested under the revolving credit facility at any time prior to its maturity on February 2, 2019, and bear interest, at Lamar Media’s option, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the Adjusted Base Rate plus applicable margins, such margins are set at an initial rate with the possibility of a step down based on Lamar Media’s ratio of debt to trailing four quarters EBITDA, as defined in the senior credit facility.
	The terms of Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and the indentures relating to Lamar Media’s outstanding notes restrict, among other things, the ability of Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media to:
		•		dispose of assets;
		•		incur or repay debt;
		•		create liens;
		•		make investments; and
		•		pay dividends.
	The senior credit facility contains provisions that would allow Lamar Media to conduct its affairs in a manner that would allow Lamar Advertising to qualify and remain qualified as a REIT, including by allowing Lamar Media to make distributions to Lamar Advertising required for the Company to qualify and remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, subject to certain restrictions.
	Lamar Media’s ability to make distributions to Lamar Advertising is also restricted under the terms of these agreements. Under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility the Company must maintain a specified senior debt ratio at all times and in addition, must satisfy a total debt ratio in order to incur debt, make distributions or make certain investments.
	Lamar Advertising and Lamar Media were in compliance with all of the terms of their indentures and the applicable senior credit agreement provisions during the periods presented.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable and borrowings. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Investments are reported at fair values. Fair values for investments held at cost are not readily available, but are estimated to approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long term debt (including current maturities) was $1,930,189, which is less than both the gross and carrying amount of $1,941,080 as of September 30, 2014. The majority of the fair value is determined using observed prices of publicly traded debt (level 1 in the fair value hierarchy) and the remaining is valued based on quoted prices for similar debt (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy).

Adjustments_to_Previously_Repo

Adjustments to Previously Reported Amounts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Adjustments to Previously Reported Amounts	'
	11. Adjustments to Previously Reported Amounts
	Immaterial Correction of an Error. Commencing with the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company revised previously reported amounts due to a change from recognizing revenue on a monthly basis over the term of the advertising contract to recognizing revenue on a daily basis over the term of the advertising contract. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99, Materiality, and SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, management evaluated the materiality of the error from qualitative and quantitative perspectives, and concluded the error was immaterial to the current and prior periods. The correction of the immaterial error resulted in a decrease of net revenue and net income of $2,043 and $1,246 and $5,857 and $3,572 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The correction also resulted in a decrease of $0.01 and $0.04 in earnings per basic and dilutive share for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.
	The Company revised its historical financial statements as published in our 2013 Combined 10-K for fiscal 2011 and 2012, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 contained therein.

Distributions

Distributions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Distributions	'
	12. Distributions
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 the Company paid a cash distribution to holders of its common stock of $79,190 and $158,203, or $0.83 and $1.66 per share, respectively, in anticipation of commencing to operate as a REIT effective January 1, 2014. As a REIT the Company must distribute to its stockholders by the end of 2014 all if its pre-REIT accumulated earnings and profits, if any. In addition, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize net operating losses to offset, in whole or in part, the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its taxable REIT subsidiaries (TRSs) and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company paid cash dividend distributions to holders of its Series AA Preferred Stock of $91 and $273, or $15.95 and $47.85 per share, respectively.

Information_about_Geographic_A

Information about Geographic Areas	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Information about Geographic Areas	'
	13. Information about Geographic Areas
	Revenues from external customers attributable to foreign countries totaled $24,314 and $24,990 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net carrying value of long lived assets located in foreign countries totaled $7,956 and $8,838 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. All other revenues from external customers and long lived assets relate to domestic operations.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	14. New Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for service concession arrangements with public sector entities. This guidance specifies that an operating entity should not account for a service concession arrangement as a lease and the infrastructure used in a service concession arrangement should not be recognized as property, plant and equipment. This guidance applies when the public sector entity controls the services that the operating entity must provide within the infrastructure and also controls any residual interest in the infrastructure at the end of the term of the arrangement. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, which is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 , on our consolidated financial statements.
	On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	15. Subsequent Events
	On October 17, 2014 the Company announced that the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Lamar Advertising REIT Company (“Lamar REIT”), which contains a proxy statement of Lamar, was declared effective on October 16, 2014 by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The proxy statement relates to a special meeting of Lamar’s stockholders scheduled to be held on November 17, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., Central Standard Time, at the offices of Lamar to consider and vote on, among other things, a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 27, 2014 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and between Lamar and Lamar REIT. Stockholders of record of Lamar at the close of business on October 3, 2014, will be entitled to vote by proxy or in person at the special meeting.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of ESPP Share Activity	'
	The following is a summary of the 2009 ESPP share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Shares
	Available for future purchases, January 1, 2014		327,689
	Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP		80,209
	Purchases		(76,067	)
	Available for future purchases, September 30, 2014		331,831

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Acquisition Costs	'
	The following is a summary of the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs in the above transactions.
		Total
	Property, plant and equipment	$	8,652
	Goodwill		8,778
	Site locations		29,458
	Non-competition agreements		105
	Customer lists and contracts		6,471
	Other assets		830
	Current liabilities		(156	)
		$	54,138

Depreciation_and_Amortization_

Depreciation and Amortization (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Depreciation and Amortization Expense Excluded from Operating Expenses in its Statements of Operations	'
	The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statements of Operations are:
		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Direct advertising expenses	$	58,562	$	69,040	$	191,100	$	207,265
	General and administrative expenses		1,082		1,151		3,183		2,921
	Corporate expenses		3,031		2,992		8,967		9,306
		$	62,675	$	73,183	$	203,250	$	219,492

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Intangible Assets	'
	The following is a summary of intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		Estimated		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Life		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
		(Years)		Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amortization
	Customer lists and contracts		7—10	$	498,664	$	468,423	$	492,299	$	463,188
	Non-competition agreements		3—15		64,035		63,127		63,933		62,914
	Site locations		15		1,524,344		1,179,936		1,495,635		1,106,947
	Other		5—15		14,008		13,474		14,008		13,441
				$	2,101,051	$	1,724,960	$	2,065,875	$	1,646,490
	Unamortizable intangible assets:
	Goodwill			$	1,765,742	$	253,536	$	1,757,089	$	253,536

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Information Related to Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	The following table reflects information related to our asset retirement obligations:
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	200,831
	Additions to asset retirement obligations		1,057
	Accretion expense		3,953
	Liabilities settled		(2,173	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	203,668

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Senior Credit Facility	$	394,500		$	502,106
	7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		—			400,000
	5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes		500,000			500,000
	5% Senior Subordinated Notes		535,000			535,000
	5 3/8% Senior Notes		510,000			—
	Other notes with various rates and terms		1,580			1,696
			1,941,080			1,938,802
	Less current maturities		(15,604	)		(55,935	)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	1,925,476		$	1,882,867
Schedule of Maturities of Long Term Debt	'
	The Term A Loans began amortizing on June 30, 2014 in quarterly installments on each September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30 thereafter, as follows:
	Principal Payment Date	Principal Amount
	December 31, 2014-March 31, 2016	$	3,750
	June 30, 2016- March 31, 2017	$	5,625
	June 30, 2017-December 31, 2018	$	11,250
	Term A Loan Maturity Date	$	168,750

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Award vesting terms	'Vesting terms ranging from three to five years and include 1) options that vest in one-fifth increments beginning on the grant date and continuing on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date and 2) options that cliff-vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.	'
Non cash compensation expense	$15,987	$23,107
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expiration date of options granted under equity incentive plan	'10 years	'
Term of director	'1 year	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Percentage of awards vesting on grant date [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of awards vesting on grant date	50.00%	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Percentage of Awards Vesting On Last Day of Directors Term [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of awards vesting on grant date	50.00%	'
Common Class A [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
The Company granted options for an aggregate shares of its Class A common stock	69,000	'
Common Class A [Member] | 1996 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
New employee stock purchase plan, which reserved additional shares of common stock	15,500,000	'
Common Class A [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Non cash compensation expense	224	'
Common Class A [Member] | 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
New employee stock purchase plan, which reserved additional shares of common stock	588,154	'
Employee stock purchase plan, which available for issuance of common stock	88,154	'
Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP	80,209	'
Performance Based Compensation [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Non cash compensation expense	$8,439	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Award vesting period	'3 years	'
Range of awards of target number of share	0.00%	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Award vesting period	'5 years	'
Range of awards of target number of share	100.00%	'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Espp Share Activity (Detail) (2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Available for future purchases, January 1, 2014	327,689
Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP	80,209
Purchases	-76,067
Available for future purchases, September 30, 2014	331,831

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Total purchase price of outdoor advertising assets paid in cash	$54,138

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Prelim

Acquisitions - Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Acquisition Costs (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Property, plant and equipment	$8,652
Goodwill	8,778
Other assets	830
Current liabilities	-156
Total	54,138
Site Locations [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Finite lived intangible assets	29,458
Non-competition Agreements [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Finite lived intangible assets	105
Customer Lists and Contracts [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Finite lived intangible assets	$6,471

Depreciation_and_Amortization_1

Depreciation and Amortization - Depreciation and Amortization Expense Excluded from Operating Expenses and Statements of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Component Of Other Income And Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	$62,675	$73,183	$203,250	$219,492
Direct advertising expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income And Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	58,562	69,040	191,100	207,265
General and administrative expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income And Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,082	1,151	3,183	2,921
Corporate expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Component Of Other Income And Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	$3,031	$2,992	$8,967	$9,306

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Customer Lists and Contracts [Member]

Customer Lists and Contracts [Member]

Customer Lists and Contracts [Member]

Customer Lists and Contracts [Member]

Non-competition Agreements [Member]

Non-competition Agreements [Member]

Non-competition Agreements [Member]

Non-competition Agreements [Member]

Site Locations [Member]

Site Locations [Member]

Site Locations [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated Life (Years)

'

'

'

'

'7 years

'10 years

'

'

'3 years

'15 years

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'5 years

'15 years

Gross Carrying Amount

$2,101,051

$2,065,875

$498,664

$492,299

'

'

$64,035

$63,933

'

'

$1,524,344

$1,495,635

'

$14,008

$14,008

'

'

Accumulated Amortization

1,724,960

1,646,490

468,423

463,188

'

'

63,127

62,914

'

'

1,179,936

1,106,947

'

13,474

13,441

'

'

Goodwill gross carrying amount

1,765,742

1,757,089

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill accumulated amortization

$253,536

$253,536

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_I

Asset Retirement Obligations - Information Related to Asset Retirement Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Beginning Balance	$200,831
Additions to asset retirement obligations	1,057
Accretion expense	3,953
Liabilities settled	-2,173
Ending Balance	$203,668

Summarized_Financial_Informati1

Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Balance of permitted transfers to parent company	$2,226,353	$2,072,542
Description of provisions on senior credit facility transfers to Lamar Advertising not subject to additional restrictions	'I) the total debt ratio is equal to or greater than 6.0 to 1 or (ii) the senior debt ratio is equal to or greater than 3.5 to 1.	'
Debt ratio	6	'
Description of actual position on senior credit facility transfers to Lamar Advertising not subject to additional restrictions	'The total debt ratio was less than 6.0 to 1 and Lamar Media's senior debt ratio was less than 3.5 to 1; therefore, dividends or distributions to Lamar Advertising were not subject to any additional restrictions under the senior credit facility.	'
Debt ratio related to actual position on senior credit facility	6	'
Senior Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior debt ratio	3.5	'
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior debt ratio	3.5	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
The number of dilutive shares excluded from calculation of basic earnings per share resulting from the anti-dilutive effect for stock options	0	0	0	0

Longterm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_De

Long-term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long Term Debt	$1,941,080	$1,938,802
Less current maturities	-15,604	-55,935
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	1,925,476	1,882,867
Senior Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long Term Debt	394,500	502,106
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long Term Debt	'	400,000
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long Term Debt	500,000	500,000
5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long Term Debt	535,000	535,000
5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long Term Debt	510,000	'
Other Notes with Various Rates and Terms [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long Term Debt	$1,580	$1,696

Longterm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Pa

Long-term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Apr. 18, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Apr. 22, 2010	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 09, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 10, 2014
		7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]	5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate on senior notes	7.88%	7.88%	7.88%	5.88%	5.88%	5.00%	5.00%	5.38%	5.38%

Longterm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Apr. 18, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 03, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Apr. 21, 2014

Apr. 22, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Apr. 22, 2010

Feb. 09, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 09, 2012

Oct. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 30, 2012

Jan. 10, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Feb. 03, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Oct. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Jan. 10, 2014

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

LIBO Rate [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Debt Ratio Less Than Or Equal To Four Point Two Five [Member]

Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Three [Member]

Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Three [Member]

Term A Loan Facility [Member]

7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Senior Credit Facility [Member]

Incremental Facility [Member]

Incremental Facility [Member]

5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]

5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]

5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]

5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]

LIBO Rate [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on convertible notes

'

'

7.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.88%

'

7.88%

'

5.88%

5.88%

'

5.00%

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

5.38%

5.38%

Aggregate principal amount of debt issued

'

$1,941,080,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$400,000,000

$400,000,000

'

'

$500,000,000

'

'

$535,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$510,000,000

Net proceeds from the issuance of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

392,000,000

'

'

'

489,000,000

'

'

527,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

502,300,000

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on transaction

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,847,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on convertible notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of notes outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non cash loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,095,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,176,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount of senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

Additional redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.88%

'

'

105.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

105.00%

'

'

Redemption percentage of issued notes which remain outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65.00%

'

'

65.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

65.00%

'

'

Redemption percentage equal to principal amount include aggregate premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

Redemption price percentage of the principal amount to be purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

101.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility

'

'

'

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

Amended and restated date

18-Apr-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term A Loan Adjusted Base Rate

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

1.00%

2.00%

1.75%

0.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one

'

'

'

'

'

3

3

4.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding revolving credit facility

'

'

'

102,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letter of credit outstanding

'

'

'

6,846,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility

'

$291,154,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility maturity date

'

2-Feb-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Longterm_Debt_Schedule_of_Matu

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
December 31, 2014-March 31, 2016 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Principal payment amount	$3,750
June 30, 2016- March 31, 2017 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Principal payment amount	5,625
June 30, 2017-December 31, 2018 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Principal payment amount	11,250
Term A Loan Maturity Date [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Principal payment amount	$168,750

Longterm_Debt_Schedule_of_Matu1

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Long Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
December 31, 2014-March 31, 2016 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Principal payment date	'2014-12-31 - 2016-03-31
June 30, 2016- March 31, 2017 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Principal payment date	'2016-06-30 - 2017-03-31
June 30, 2017-December 31, 2018 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Principal payment date	'2017-06-30 - 2018-12-31

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Estimated fair value of Long-term debt (including current maturities)	$1,930,189
Gross amount of company's long term debt	1,941,080
Carrying amount of company's long term debt	$1,941,080

Adjustments_to_Previously_Repo1

Adjustments to Previously Reported Amounts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Adjustments For Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reduction of net revenue	$334,998	$321,141	$950,364	$925,490
Reduction of net Income	35,050	17,094	45,635	29,953
Adjusted [Member]	'	'	'	'
Adjustments For Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reduction of net revenue	'	2,043	'	5,857
Reduction of net Income	'	$1,246	'	$3,572
Decrease in basic and diluted earning per share	'	$0.01	'	$0.04

Distributions_Additional_Infor

Distributions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Dividends [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared per share common stock , Amount	$79,190	'	$158,203	'
Cash dividends declared per share common stock	$0.83	'	$1.66	'
Cash dividends declared to stockholders, Percentage	'	'	90.00%	'
Cash dividends declared and paid on preferred stock	91	91	273	273
Series AA Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Dividends [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared and paid on preferred stock	$91	'	$273	'
Cash dividends declared per share preferred stock	$15.95	'	$47.85	'

Information_about_Geographic_A1

Information about Geographic Areas - Additional Information (Detail) (Foreign Countries [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			External Customers [Member]	External Customers [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	'	'	$24,314	$24,990
Net carrying value of long lived assets	$7,956	$8,838	'	'