Lamar Advertising (LAMR) 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	LAMR
Entity Registrant Name	LAMAR ADVERTISING CO/NEW
Entity Central Index Key	1090425
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		81,710,845
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,610,365
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	LAMAR MEDIA CORP/DE
Entity Central Index Key	899045
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member] | Class Units [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		100

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$32,546	$26,035
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	168,527	169,610
Prepaid expenses	65,368	42,713
Deferred income tax assets	733	729
Other current assets	42,678	34,057
Total current assets	309,852	273,144
Property, plant and equipment	3,124,302	3,110,385
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,042,636	-2,026,745
Net property, plant and equipment	1,081,666	1,083,640
Goodwill	1,515,451	1,512,768
Intangible assets	363,816	366,985
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	31,567	32,725
Deferred income tax assets	13,535	12,496
Other assets	39,337	37,060
Total assets	3,355,224	3,318,818
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	18,051	16,368
Current maturities of long-term debt	15,656	15,625
Accrued expenses	84,484	108,790
Deferred income	87,953	84,558
Total current liabilities	206,144	225,341
Long-term debt	1,937,515	1,884,270
Asset retirement obligation	205,348	204,327
Other liabilities	25,029	23,414
Total liabilities	2,374,036	2,337,352
Stockholder's equity:
Additional paid-in capital	1,643,803	1,611,775
Accumulated comprehensive income	844	2,454
Accumulated deficit	-657,457	-632,859
Stockholder's equity	981,188	981,466
Cost of shares held in treasury, 104,836 and 0 shares at 2015 and 2014, respectively	-6,099
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	3,355,224	3,318,818
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	32,046	25,535
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	168,527	169,610
Prepaid expenses	65,368	42,713
Deferred income tax assets	733	729
Other current assets	42,678	34,057
Total current assets	309,352	272,644
Property, plant and equipment	3,124,302	3,110,385
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,042,636	-2,026,745
Net property, plant and equipment	1,081,666	1,083,640
Goodwill	1,505,299	1,502,616
Intangible assets	363,349	366,518
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	29,613	30,771
Deferred income tax assets	13,535	12,496
Other assets	34,051	31,775
Total assets	3,336,865	3,300,460
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	18,051	16,368
Current maturities of long-term debt	15,656	15,625
Accrued expenses	80,522	105,007
Deferred income	87,953	84,558
Total current liabilities	202,182	221,558
Long-term debt	1,937,515	1,884,270
Asset retirement obligation	205,348	204,327
Other liabilities	25,029	23,414
Total liabilities	2,370,074	2,333,569
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock, value	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	2,714,244	2,682,216
Accumulated comprehensive income	844	2,454
Accumulated deficit	-1,748,297	-1,717,779
Stockholder's equity	966,791	966,891
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	3,336,865	3,300,460
Series AA Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholder's equity:
Preferred stock, value	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock, value	82	81
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock, value	$15	$15

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$8,776	$7,957
Accumulated amortization	15,922	14,764
Shares held in treasury	104,836	0
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	8,776	7,957
Accumulated amortization	$6,634	$5,476
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
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	362,500,000	362,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	81,812,481	80,933,071
Common stock, shares outstanding	81,707,645	80,933,071
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 (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net revenues	$302,477	$284,933
Operating expenses (income)
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	113,232	111,508
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	59,206	57,677
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	15,391	15,284
Depreciation and amortization	49,230	69,526
Gain on disposition of assets	-1,836	-206
Total Operating Expenses	235,223	253,789
Operating income	67,254	31,144
Other expense (income)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		5,176
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment		4,069
Interest income	-2	-45
Interest expense	24,532	30,268
Non-operating (Income) Expenses	24,530	39,468
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	42,724	-8,324
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,008	-3,487
Net income (loss)	40,716	-4,837
Preferred stock dividends	91	91
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock	40,625	-4,928
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share	$0.42	($0.05)
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$0.68
Weighted average common shares outstanding	95,704,850	94,906,018
Incremental common shares from dilutive stock options	37,298
Weighted average common shares diluted	95,742,148	94,906,018
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss)	40,716	-4,837
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-1,610	-384
Comprehensive income (loss)	39,106	-5,221
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Net revenues	302,477	284,933
Operating expenses (income)
Direct advertising expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	113,232	111,508
General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	59,206	57,677
Corporate expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	15,303	15,182
Depreciation and amortization	49,230	69,526
Gain on disposition of assets	-1,836	-206
Total Operating Expenses	235,135	253,687
Operating income	67,342	31,246
Other expense (income)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		5,176
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment		4,069
Interest income	-2	-45
Interest expense	24,532	30,268
Non-operating (Income) Expenses	24,530	39,468
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	42,812	-8,222
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,008	-3,444
Net income (loss)	40,804	-4,778
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss)	40,804	-4,778
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-1,610	-384
Comprehensive income (loss)	$39,194	($5,162)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$40,716	($4,837)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	49,230	69,526
Stock-based compensation	3,901	3,912
Amortization included in interest expense	1,158	1,283
Gain on disposition of assets and investment	-1,836	-206
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment		4,069
Loss on extinguishment of debt		5,176
Deferred tax benefit	-1,187	-5,365
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,672	1,600
(Increase) decrease in:
Receivables	-1,438	-2,357
Prepaid expenses	-22,926	-22,043
Other assets	-8,787	-5,855
Increase (decrease) in:
Trade accounts payable	1,714	2,833
Accrued expenses	-10,099	6,073
Other liabilities	2,613	8,775
Net cash provided by operating activities	54,731	62,584
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions	-19,647	-4,281
Capital expenditures	-29,041	-22,398
Proceeds from disposition of assets and investments	4,414	897
Decrease in notes receivable	4	10
Net cash used in investing activities	-44,270	-25,772
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash used for purchase of treasury stock	-6,099	-2,987
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	15,529	7,697
Principal payments on long term debt	-3,755	-23
Payment on revolving credit facility	-35,000	-150,000
Proceeds received from revolving credit facility	92,000
Proceeds received from note offering		510,000
Payment on senior credit agreement		-352,106
Debt issuance costs		-12,947
Distributions to non-controlling interest	-180	-180
Dividends/distributions	-65,314	-91
Net cash used in financing activities	-2,819	-637
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents	-1,131	-646
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	6,511	35,529
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	26,035	33,212
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	32,546	68,741
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	30,869	15,753
Cash paid for foreign, state and federal income taxes	587	726
LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	40,804	-4,778
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	49,230	69,526
Stock-based compensation	3,901	3,912
Amortization included in interest expense	1,158	1,283
Gain on disposition of assets and investment	-1,836	-206
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment		4,069
Loss on extinguishment of debt		5,176
Deferred tax benefit	-1,187	-5,322
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,672	1,600
(Increase) decrease in:
Receivables	-1,438	-2,357
Prepaid expenses	-22,926	-22,043
Other assets	-8,787	-5,855
Increase (decrease) in:
Trade accounts payable	1,714	2,833
Accrued expenses	-10,099	6,073
Other liabilities	-14,065	-1,130
Net cash provided by operating activities	38,141	52,781
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions	-19,647	-4,281
Capital expenditures	-29,041	-22,398
Proceeds from disposition of assets and investments	4,414	897
Payments received on notes receivable	4	10
Net cash used in investing activities	-44,270	-25,772
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on long term debt	-3,755	-23
Payment on revolving credit facility	-35,000	-150,000
Proceeds received from revolving credit facility	92,000
Proceeds received from note offering		510,000
Payment on senior credit agreement		-352,106
Debt issuance costs		-12,947
Distributions to non-controlling interest	-180	-180
Dividend to parent	-71,322	-2,987
Contributions from parent	32,028	17,409
Net cash provided by financing activities	13,771	9,166
Effect of exchange rate changes in cash and cash equivalents	-1,131	-646
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	6,511	35,529
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,535	32,712
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	32,046	68,241
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	30,869	15,753
Cash paid for foreign, state and federal income taxes	$587	$726

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 2014 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 2014 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, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in this report is substantially equivalent to that required for the condensed consolidated financial statements of Lamar Media Corp. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 5,000 shares of its Class A common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	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 80,932 shares on January 1, 2015 pursuant to the automatic increase provisions of the 2009 ESPP.
	The following is a summary of 2009 ESPP share activity for the period ended March 31, 2015:
		Shares
	Available for future purchases, January 1, 2015		307,448
	Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP		80,932
	Purchases		(31,765	)
	Available for future purchases, March 31, 2015		356,615
	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 2015 results. Any shares issued based on the achievement of performance goals will be issued in the first quarter of 2016. 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 three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company has recorded $1,402 as stock-based compensation expense related to performance based awards. In addition, each non-employee director automatically receives upon election or re-election a restricted stock award of our Class A common stock. The awards vest 50% on grant date and 50% on the last day of each director’s one-year term. The Company recorded $35 as non-cash compensation expense related to these non-employee director awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Depreciation_and_Amortization

Depreciation and Amortization	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization	3. Depreciation and Amortization
	The Company includes all categories of depreciation and amortization on a separate line in its Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) are:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Direct advertising expenses	$	45,085	$	65,592
	General and administrative expenses		723		1,021
	Corporate expenses		3,422		2,913
		$	49,230	$	69,526
	Effective January 1, 2015, the Company changed its depreciation method from the double declining balance method to the straight-line method. The Company believes that the straight-line method better reflects the pattern of consumption of the future benefits to be derived from those assets being depreciated. The increase to operating income and net income and decrease to depreciation expense for the Company’s assets existing as of January 1, 2015 is $2,772 and $11,089 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year to end December 31, 2015, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The following is a summary of intangible assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		Estimated		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Life
		(Years)		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
				Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amortization
	Amortizable Intangible Assets:
	Customer lists and contracts		7 – 10	$	501,033	$	471,729	$	499,310	$	470,170
	Non-competition agreements		3 – 15		64,201		63,254		64,062		63,192
	Site locations		15		1,542,113		1,209,060		1,531,161		1,194,709
	Other		5 – 15		14,008		13,496		14,008		13,485
				$	2,121,355	$	1,757,539	$	2,108,541	$	1,741,556
	Unamortizable Intangible Assets:
	Goodwill			$	1,768,987	$	253,536	$	1,766,304	$	253,536

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligations	5. 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, 2014	$	204,327
	Additions to asset retirement obligations		532
	Accretion expense		1,267
	Liabilities settled		(778	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	205,348

Summarized_Financial_Informati

Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries	6. 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $2,299,498 and $2,269,393, respectively.
	As of March 31, 2015, transfers to Lamar Advertising are permitted under Lamar Media’s senior credit facility and as defined therein, unless, after giving effect to 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 March 31, 2015, 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 March 31, 2015 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	7. 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. The number of dilutive shares excluded from this calculation because of their anti-dilutive effect for stock options is 462,977 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. There were no anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	8. Long-term Debt
	Long-term debt consists of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Senior Credit Facility		$	407,000		$	353,750
	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			510,000
	Other notes with various rates and terms			1,171			1,145
				1,953,171			1,899,895
	Less current maturities			(15,656	)		(15,625	)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities		$	1,937,515		$	1,884,270
	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 105.375% 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. 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 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
	June 30, 2015-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 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 2.0%; (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 revolving credit facility bears 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 1.25% (or the Adjusted Base Rate plus 1.0% at any time the total debt ratio is less than or equal to 4.25 to 1, 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 March 31, 2015, there was $122,000 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 in letters of credit outstanding as of March 31, 2015 resulting in $271,154 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 LIBO 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 allows Lamar Media to conduct its affairs in a manner that allows 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 senior credit agreement provisions during the periods presented.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $2,014,351 which exceeded the carrying amount of $1,953,171 as of March 31, 2015. The majority of the fair value is determined using observed market 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).

Information_about_Geographic_A

Information about Geographic Areas	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information about Geographic Areas	10. Information about Geographic Areas
	Revenues from external customers attributable to foreign countries totaled $6,442 and $7,159 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net carrying value of long lived assets located in foreign countries totaled $6,590 and $7,324 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. All other revenues from external customers and long lived assets relate to domestic operations.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	11. New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 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 Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States 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.
	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 have adopted this guidance, which was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. There was no impact to our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The pronouncement requires reporting entities to present debt issuance costs related to a note as a direct deduction from the face amount of that note presented in the balance sheet. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. A reporting entity may apply the amendments in the ASU retrospectively to all prior periods. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

DividendsDistributions

Dividends/Distributions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends/Distributions	12. Dividends/Distributions
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company declared and paid distributions of its REIT taxable income of an aggregate of $65,223 or $0.68 per share. 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 the 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 (“NOLs”) to offset, in whole or in part, the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company paid cash dividend distributions to holders of its Series AA Preferred Stock of $91 or $15.95 per share.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of ESPP Share Activity	The following is a summary of 2009 ESPP share activity for the period ended March 31, 2015:
		Shares
	Available for future purchases, January 1, 2015		307,448
	Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP		80,932
	Purchases		(31,765	)
	Available for future purchases, March 31, 2015		356,615

Depreciation_and_Amortization_

Depreciation and Amortization (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Depreciation and Amortization Expense Excluded from Operating Expenses in its Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The amounts of depreciation and amortization expense excluded from the following operating expenses in its Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) are:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Direct advertising expenses	$	45,085	$	65,592
	General and administrative expenses		723		1,021
	Corporate expenses		3,422		2,913
		$	49,230	$	69,526

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Intangible Assets	The following is a summary of intangible assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		Estimated		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Life
		(Years)		Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
				Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amortization
	Amortizable Intangible Assets:
	Customer lists and contracts		7 – 10	$	501,033	$	471,729	$	499,310	$	470,170
	Non-competition agreements		3 – 15		64,201		63,254		64,062		63,192
	Site locations		15		1,542,113		1,209,060		1,531,161		1,194,709
	Other		5 – 15		14,008		13,496		14,008		13,485
				$	2,121,355	$	1,757,539	$	2,108,541	$	1,741,556
	Unamortizable Intangible Assets:
	Goodwill			$	1,768,987	$	253,536	$	1,766,304	$	253,536

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2014	$	204,327
	Additions to asset retirement obligations		532
	Accretion expense		1,267
	Liabilities settled		(778	)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	205,348

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Senior Credit Facility	$	407,000		$	353,750
	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			510,000
	Other notes with various rates and terms		1,171			1,145
			1,953,171			1,899,895
	Less current maturities		(15,656	)		(15,625	)
	Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	$	1,937,515		$	1,884,270
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
	June 30, 2015-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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
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	$3,901	$3,912
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	5,000
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	35
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	80,932
Performance Based Compensation [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non cash compensation expense	$1,402
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])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Available for future purchases, January 1, 2015	307,448
Additional shares reserved under 2009 ESPP	80,932
Purchases	-31,765
Available for future purchases, March 31, 2015	356,615

Depreciation_and_Amortization_1

Depreciation and Amortization - Depreciation and Amortization Expense Excluded from Operating Expenses in its Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Depreciation and Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$49,230	$69,526
Direct Advertising Expenses [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	45,085	65,592
General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	723	1,021
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Depreciation and Amortization Expense [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$3,422	$2,913

Depreciation_and_Amortization_2

Depreciation and Amortization - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Component Of Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
Increase in net income and operating income due to depreciation adjustment	$2,772
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Component Of Other Income And Expense [Line Items]
Increase in net income and operating income due to depreciation adjustment		$11,089

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,121,355	$2,108,541
Accumulated Amortization	1,757,539	1,741,556
Goodwill gross carrying amount	1,768,987	1,766,304
Goodwill accumulated amortization	253,536	253,536
Customer Lists and Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	501,033	499,310
Accumulated Amortization	471,729	470,170
Customer Lists and Contracts [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	7 years
Customer Lists and Contracts [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	10 years
Non-competition Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	64,201	64,062
Accumulated Amortization	63,254	63,192
Non-competition Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	3 years
Non-competition Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	15 years
Site Locations [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,542,113	1,531,161
Accumulated Amortization	1,209,060	1,194,709
Site Locations [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	15 years
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	14,008	14,008
Accumulated Amortization	13,496	$13,485
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	5 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Life (Years)	15 years

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_I

Asset Retirement Obligations - Information Related to Asset Retirement Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$204,327
Additions to asset retirement obligations	532
Accretion expense	1,267
Liabilities settled	-778
Ending Balance	$205,348

Summarized_Financial_Informati1

Summarized Financial Information of Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance of permitted transfers to parent company	$2,299,498	$2,269,393
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
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
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	462,977

Longterm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_De

Long-term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	$1,953,171	$1,899,895
Less current maturities	-15,656	-15,625
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	1,937,515	1,884,270
Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	407,000	353,750
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	510,000
Other Notes with Various Rates and Terms [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt	$1,171	$1,145

Longterm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Pa

Long-term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Apr. 18, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 09, 2012	Oct. 30, 2012	Jan. 10, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes	7.88%
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.88%	5.88%
5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.00%		5.00%
5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on senior notes		5.38%			5.38%

Longterm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 18, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 09, 2012	Oct. 30, 2012	Jan. 10, 2014	Feb. 03, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on convertible notes	7.88%
Amended and restated date	18-Apr-14
Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility		271,154
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding revolving credit facility		122,000
Letter of credit outstanding		6,846
Term A Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	300,000
Term A Loan Facility [Member] | LIBO Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	2.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum	1
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one	3
Term A Loan Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	1.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum	1
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one	3
Term A Loan Facility [Member] | Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Three [Member] | LIBO Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	1.75%
Term A Loan Facility [Member] | Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Three [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	0.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBO Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	2.25%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum	1
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one	3
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	1.25%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum	1
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one	3
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LAMAR MEDIA CORP [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility maturity date		2-Feb-19
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Three [Member] | LIBO Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	1.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Three [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	0.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Four Point Two Five [Member] | LIBO Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	2.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum	1
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one	4.25
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Debt Ratio Less Than or Equal to Four Point Two Five [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted Rate	1.00%
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital minimum	1
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital one	4.25
5 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on convertible notes		5.88%	5.88%
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued			500,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of debt			489,000
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount of senior notes			35.00%
Additional redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount			105.88%
Redemption percentage of issued notes which remain outstanding			65.00%
Redemption percentage equal to principal amount include aggregate premium			100.00%
Redemption price percentage of the principal amount to be purchased			101.00%
5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on convertible notes		5.00%		5.00%
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued				535,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of debt				527,100
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount of senior notes				35.00%
Additional redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount				105.00%
Redemption percentage of issued notes which remain outstanding				65.00%
Redemption percentage equal to principal amount include aggregate premium				100.00%
Redemption price percentage of the principal amount to be purchased				101.00%
5 3/8% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on convertible notes		5.38%			5.38%
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued					510,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of debt					502,300
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount of senior notes				35.00%
Additional redeemed percentage of aggregate principal amount				105.38%
Redemption percentage of issued notes which remain outstanding				65.00%
Redemption percentage equal to principal amount include aggregate premium				100.00%
Redemption price percentage of the principal amount to be purchased				101.00%
Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility						400,000
Incremental Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing limit of incremental loan facility	500,000					500,000
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debt issued	400,000

Longterm_Debt_Schedule_of_Matu

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
June 30, 2015-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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
June 30, 2015-March 31, 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment date	2015-06-30 - 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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Estimated fair value of Long-term debt (including current maturities)	$2,014,351
Carrying amount of company's long term debt	$1,953,171

Information_about_Geographic_A1

Information about Geographic Areas - Additional Information (Detail) (Foreign Countries [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net carrying value of long lived assets	$6,590		$7,324
External Customers [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$6,442	$7,159

DividendsDistributions_Additio

Dividends/Distributions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Dividends [Line Items]
Distributions paid, preferred stockholders	$91	$91
Distributions paid, preferred stockholders, per share	$15.95
Taxable Income Distribution [Member]
Dividends [Line Items]
Distributions paid	$65,223
Distributions paid, per share	$0.68