ANNUAL REPORT
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
Commission File No. 333-82145
AOA HOLDING LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MINNESOTA 36-4298658
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
1380 West Paces Ferry Road, N.W., Suite 170, South Wing, Atlanta, GA 30327
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants' telephone number, including area code (404) 233-1366
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO __
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date. (Applicable only to Adams
Outdoor Advertising, Inc.)
Class Outstanding as of March 30, 2000
- ----- ---------------------------------
Common Stock,
$.001 par value 10,000
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CONTENTS
PART I
THE LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION
Organization................................................ 1
Offering.................................................... 1
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General..................................................... 2
History..................................................... 2
Industry Overview........................................... 2
Business Strategy........................................... 3
Markets..................................................... 4
Sales and Marketing......................................... 6
Local Market Operations..................................... 7
Competition................................................. 8
Government Regulation....................................... 8
Employees................................................... 9
ITEM 2. FACILITIES........................................................10
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.................................................10
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS...............10
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.........................................10
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA...........................................11
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General.....................................................12
Results of Operations.......................................14
Liquidity and Capital Resources.............................15
Impact of Inflation.........................................16
Seasonality.................................................17
Forward Looking Statements..................................17
Year 2000 Compliance........................................17
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.........17
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA........................18
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE..........................18
PART III
ITEM 10. MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers and Directors............................18
Other Significant Management Personnel......................19
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.............................................20
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.....22
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.....................23
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K..24
i
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THE LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION
ORGANIZATION
AOA Holding LLC ("AOA Holding" or the "Company") was incorporated on May 4,
1999, as a Minnesota limited liability company. AOA Holding was formed to
acquire the direct individual interests of Stephen Adams in Adams Outdoor
Advertising Limited Partnership ("Adams Partnership" or the "Partnership") and
Adams Outdoor Advertising Inc. ("Adams Inc.") and to serve as a co-issuer of the
10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2006 (the "Parent Senior Notes") (Note 2). AOA
Holding's assets consist of 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Adams Inc.,
a 0.70% general partnership interest and a 68.3% limited partnership interest in
Adams Partnership. Mr. Adams is the sole member of AOA Holding and all
operations are conducted through Adams Partnership.
AOA Capital Corp. ("AOA Capital"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AOA Holding, was
incorporated on May 4, 1999 for the sole purpose of serving as co-issuer of the
Parent Senior Notes.
OFFERING
In May 1999, following the Company's organization, AOA Holding and its 100%
owned subsidiary, AOA Capital issued $50 million of Parent Senior Notes. The net
proceeds from the offering were used by AOA Holding (i) to make a $32.5 million
distribution to its sole member, (ii) to repay $13.25 million of indebtedness of
Adams Partnership, and (iii) to make a $2.5 million allocation to the Adams
Partnership minority limited partners.
The Parent Senior Notes are unsecured obligations of AOA Holding and its 100%
owned subsidiary, AOA Capital. The Parent Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2006
and bear interest at 10 3/8%. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on
March 15 and September 15, commencing September 15, 1999.
The Parent Senior Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part after June 1, 2003 at the following redemption prices (expressed as
percentage of principal amount), together, in each case, with accrued and unpaid
interest to the redemption date; 105.188% in 2003, 102.594% in 2004 and 100.00%
in 2005 and thereafter. The Company may also redeem the Parent Senior Notes in
whole but not in part at any time during the nine-month period beginning on
April 15, 2001 at 100% of the aggregate principal plus accrued and unpaid
interest in the event of a concurrent redemption by Adams Partnership of its
outstanding notes.
The Indenture contains, among other things, covenants restricting the ability of
the Company to incur additional indebtedness, make certain distributions, make
certain investments, change the status of company subsidiaries, create liens,
enter into transactions with affiliates, dispose of assets, enter into
sale-leaseback transactions, make payments for consents, and enter into
additional lines of business.
In connection with the reorganization, the Adams Partnership agreement was
amended to provide that the limited partnership interest of AOA Holding become a
"priority" interest whereby all limited partner distributions (other than
permitted tax distributions) will be made only to AOA Holding until the notes
are paid in full. In recognition of the change in the partnership agreement, the
Company paid to the minority limited partners approximately $2.5 million, which
has been reflected as other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements
of operations.
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ITEM 1
BUSINESS
GENERAL
The Partnership is the seventh largest owner and operator of outdoor
advertising structures in the United States. Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. is
the managing general partner of the Partnership. The Partnership provides
outdoor advertising services to fourteen markets and surrounding areas in the
Midwest, Southeast and mid-Atlantic states: Charlotte, NC; Charleston, SC;
Orangeburg, SC; Florence, SC; Laurens, SC; Kalamazoo, MI; Lansing, MI; Jackson,
MI; Lehigh Valley, PA; Northeast PA; Madison, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Norfolk, VA;
and Peoria, IL. As of December 31, 1999, the Partnership operated, in the
aggregate, 9,586 advertising displays, including 2,567 painted bulletins, 6,809
30-sheet posters, and 210 junior (8-sheet) posters.
HISTORY
The Company's business was founded in 1983 with the acquisition of Central
Outdoor Advertising, which had offices in Lansing, Jackson and Kalamazoo, MI.
Over the next five years, the Company pursued a strategy of geographic expansion
into additional medium-sized markets, primarily through the acquisition of
existing outdoor advertising businesses in selected Midwest, Southeast and
mid-Atlantic markets. This geographic expansion strategy has enabled the Company
to capitalize on the efficiencies, economies of scale and marketing
opportunities associated with operating outdoor advertising businesses located
in proximate or contiguous geographic markets to its primary markets. Since
1988, the Company's sales and growth in Operating Cash Flow (operating income
plus depreciation, amortization and deferred compensation expense) have resulted
from a concentration on rate and occupancy levels of existing inventory,
construction of new displays, upgrading of displays in existing markets,
acquisition of displays in existing markets, and new market acquisitions in
South Carolina and Pennsylvania.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Outdoor advertising is one of several major advertising media that includes
television, radio, newspapers and magazines, among others. According to the
Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Inc. ("OAAA"), an industry trade
association, outdoor advertising in the United States generated total revenues
of approximately $2.1 billion in 1999, an 11.4% decrease over 1998. Because of
its repetitive impact and relatively low cost-per-thousand impressions (a
commonly used media standard), outdoor advertising is attractive to both large
national advertisers and smaller local and regional businesses.
The principal outdoor advertising display is the billboard, of which there
are three standardized formats:
O PAINTED BULLETINS are generally 14 feet high and 48 feet wide (672 square
feet) and consist of panels or a single sheet of vinyl that are hand painted at
the facilities of the outdoor advertising company or computer painted in
accordance with design specifications supplied by the advertiser. The panels or
vinyl are then transported to the billboard site and mounted to the face of the
display. On occasion, to attract more attention, some of the displays are
designed to extend beyond the linear edges of the display face and may include
three-dimensional embellishments for which the outdoor advertising company often
receives additional revenue. Because of painted bulletins' greater impact and
higher cost relative to other types of billboards, they are usually located near
major highways, and space is usually sold to advertisers for periods of four to
twelve months.
O 30-SHEET POSTERS are generally 12 feet high by 25 feet wide (300 square feet)
and are the most common type of billboard. Lithographed or silk-screened paper
sheets that are supplied by the advertiser are pre-pasted and packaged in
airtight bags by the outdoor advertising company and applied, like wallpaper, to
the face of the display. The 30-sheet posters are concentrated on major traffic
arteries and space is usually sold to advertisers for periods of one to twelve
months.
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O JUNIOR (8-SHEET) POSTERS are usually 6 feet high by 12 feet wide (72 square
feet). The displays are prepared and mounted in the same manner as 30-sheet
posters. Most junior posters, because of their smaller size, are generally
concentrated on city streets and are targeted at pedestrian traffic. Space on
junior posters is usually sold to advertisers for periods of one to twelve
months.
Typically, billboards are mounted on structures that are owned by the
outdoor advertising company and located on sites that are owned or leased by it
or on which it has an easement. Leases of structure sites usually provide for a
term of three to ten years depending on locale. A structure may contain one or
more displays (generally two), each of which is referred to as a "face."
A more recent addition to the various types of outdoor advertising displays
is bus shelter displays and transit ads, which are located on the sides of
buses. Bus shelter displays are usually enclosed within glassed, back-lit cases
on two or more sides of a pedestrian shelter located at an urban bus stop.
Transit displays are inserted into panels on the sides and back exteriors of
buses. The advertisements appear on lithographed or silk-screened posters
supplied in a single sheet by the advertiser. Transit displays and bus shelter
displays generally are sold to advertisers for periods of one to twelve months.
Advertisers usually contract for outdoor displays (and other media
exposure) through advertising agencies, which are responsible for the artistic
design and written content of the advertising as well as the choice of media and
the planning and implementation of the overall campaign. Outdoor advertising
companies pay commissions to the agencies for advertising contracts secured
through such agencies. Advertising contracts are negotiated on the basis of the
monthly rates that are published in the outdoor advertising company's "rate
card." These rates, which are typically set annually during the first quarter of
each year, are based on a particular display's exposure (or number of
"impressions" delivered) in relation to the demographics of the particular
market and its location within that market. The number of "impressions"
delivered by a display (measured by the number of vehicles passing the site
during a defined period and weighted to give effect to such factors as its
proximity to other displays and the speed and viewing angle of approaching
traffic) are determined by surveys that are verified by the Traffic Audit
Bureau, an independent agency which is the outdoor advertising industry's
equivalent of television's Arbitron ratings and which audits approximately
175,000 outdoor advertising sites annually.
Advertisers purchase outdoor advertising for a variety of reasons. In the
case of restaurants, motels, service stations and similar roadside businesses,
the message reaches potential customers close to the point of sale and provides
ready directional information. For advertisers seeking to build product brand
name awareness, outdoor advertising is attractive because of its constant
repetition and comparatively low cost per thousand impressions.
According to the OAAA, the top ten categories of businesses ranked by
outdoor advertising expenditures for 1999 were local services and amusements,
retail establishments, public transportation/hotels and resorts, media and
advertising, restaurants, automotive dealers and services, automotive
accessories and equipment, insurance and real estate, financial and
miscellaneous merchandise.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's strategy is to focus its operations on providing value-added
outdoor advertising services to advertisers in medium-sized markets in which it
is or could be the leading provider of such services. The Company believes that
its focus on medium-sized markets allows it to achieve a dominant share of
outdoor advertising revenues and display faces within those markets. The Company
also believes that by educating current and potential customers on the
effectiveness of the outdoor medium, it has a significant opportunity to gain a
larger share of overall advertising expenditures. The Company's business
strategy comprises the following elements:
o Focus marketing efforts on local and regional advertisers in order to
develop and maintain a diverse client base and to limit reliance on
national advertising accounts. The Company believes that focusing on
local and regional advertisers helps generate stable revenue growth and
reduce its reliance on any single local economy or industry segment. In
1999, net revenues attributable to local and regional advertising
accounted for 97.1% of total net revenues.
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o Take advantage of recent technological advances in computer and printing
technology, which allow the Company to provide higher quality
reproduction to its customers, thereby attracting new advertisers to the
outdoor medium.
o Raise potential customers' awareness of the reach, impact and value of
outdoor advertising and convince customers to use outdoor advertising as
an integral part of their advertising plan.
o Continue to enhance sales, marketing and customer service capabilities.
The Company's salespersons are paid pursuant to a performance-based
compensation system and supervised by a local sales manager executing a
coordinated marketing plan.
o Increase revenues from existing display faces by developing programs
that maximize advertising rates and optimize occupancy levels in each
market. In addition, the Company also plans to continue to pursue new
advertising categories, such as transit buses and passenger shelters, to
further diversify the Company's revenue base.
o Expand operations within the Company's markets through construction of
new display faces and the upgrading of existing displays, placing an
emphasis on painted bulletins, which generally command higher rates and
longer contracts from advertisers.
o Pursue strategic acquisitions of outdoor displays in existing and
contiguous markets and capitalize on the efficiencies, economies of
scale and significant opportunities for inter-market cross-selling that
are associated with operating in proximate or contiguous geographic
markets.
The Company recognizes, and closely monitors, the needs of its customers
and seeks to provide them with a quality advertising product at a lower cost
than competitive media. The Company believes it has a reputation of providing
excellent customer service and quality outdoor advertising space. As such, the
Company is nationally recognized as a five star member (the highest ranking) of
the OAAA, a distinction currently held by only 35 of the approximately 800
members of the OAAA.
MARKETS
The Company operates in eleven geographically diverse medium-sized markets
that offer to local, regional and national advertisers significant areas of
population to whom advertising may be targeted. In addition, the Company offers
comprehensive outdoor advertising services, including local production
facilities and local representation, in all of its markets except in the
Minneapolis market.
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 1999 with
respect to each of the Company's markets, including the ADI (as defined herein)
rank of that market and the number of each display type operated by the Company
in that market:
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADI PAINTED 30-SHEET 8-SHEET
MARKET RANKING(A) BULLETINS POSTERS POSTERS TOTAL
- ------ ---------- --------- ------- ------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charlotte, NC.................... 37 661 839 50 1,550
Lansing, MI...................... 114 336 514 -- 850
Jackson, MI (b).................. -- 125 461 -- 586
Kalamazoo, MI.................... 174 285 743 -- 1,028
Lehigh Valley, PA (c)............ 5 191 787 -- 978
Madison, WI...................... 120 69 232 -- 301
Norfolk, VA...................... 36 125 581 29 735
Peoria, IL....................... 134 71 335 27 433
Minneapolis, MN.................. 18 112 -- -- 112
Northeast PA..................... 67 95 585 -- 680
South Carolina................... 104 497 1,732 104 2,333
--- ----- --- -----
Total............... 2,567 6,809 210 9,586
===== ===== === =====
</TABLE>
- -----------
(a) Indicates the market rank of the area of dominant influence ("ADI"), as
determined by The Arbitron Company, within which the office is located.
ADIs are ranked based on population, with the market having the largest
population ranked first. ADI rank is the standard measure of market size
used by the media industry.
(b) The Jackson, MI market is included in the Lansing, MI ADI ranking.
(c) The Lehigh Valley market is included in the Philadelphia ADI ranking.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Lehigh Valley market was the 86th
largest metropolitan statistical area in the United States at December 31,
1990, the latest date for which such information is available.
The following tables set forth information with respect to the net
revenues, operating income and operating margins for the Company's displays in
each of its markets for each of the past five years. Amounts presented for
Northeast PA and South Carolina include results from their acquisition dates of
November 8, 1996 and December 2, 1996, respectively, through December 31, 1999.
NET REVENUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
MARKET 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charlotte, NC.................... $13,925 $12,932 $11,882 $10,499 $9,680
Lansing, MI...................... 7,755 7,059 5,965 8,683 8,227
Jackson, MI (a)................. 3,937 3,660 3,331 -- --
Kalamazoo, MI.................... 7,634 7,094 6,460 5,628 5,535
Lehigh Valley, PA................ 7,487 7,113 6,461 6,293 5,909
Madison, WI...................... 4,041 3,951 3,782 3,430 3,070
Norfolk, VA...................... 6,634 6,980 6,065 6,359 5,672
Peoria, IL....................... 3,116 3,266 3,016 2,836 2,562
Minneapolis, MN.................. 3,803 3,710 3,274 2,930 2,236
Northeast PA..................... 2,709 2,685 2,212 273 --
South Carolina................... 6,999 6,119 4,837 329 --
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total............... $68,040 $64,569 $57,285 $47,260 $42,891
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
(a) The 1996 and 1995 figures for Jackson, MI are included with Lansing, MI.
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OPERATING INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
MARKET 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charlotte, NC.................... $7,745 $6,322 $5,425 $4,251 $3,602
Lansing, MI...................... 3,017 2,479 1,332 3,738 3,570
Jackson, MI (a)................. 1,681 1,570 2,304 -- --
Kalamazoo, MI.................... 3,552 3,141 2,646 2,409 2,440
Lehigh Valley, PA................ 3,624 3,107 2,500 2,495 2,161
Madison, WI...................... 2,049 1,844 1,799 1,597 1,232
Norfolk, VA...................... 3,404 3,424 2,479 2,798 2,279
Peoria, IL....................... 1,274 1,494 1,329 1,110 863
Minneapolis, MN.................. 1,329 1,188 1,036 889 631
Northeast PA................. 420 379 166 (8) --
South Carolina................... (8) (131) (735) (50) --
Corporate........................ (6,769) (8,439) (4,724) (4,342) (3,844)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total.......... $21,318 $16,378 $15,557 $14,887 $12,934
======= ======= ======= ======== =======
</TABLE>
(a) The 1996 and 1995 figures for Jackson, MI are included with Lansing, MI.
OPERATING MARGIN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
MARKET 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charlotte, NC.................... 55.6% 48.9% 45.7% 40.5% 37.2%
Lansing, MI...................... 38.9 35.1 22.3 43.1 43.4
Jackson, MI (a)................. 42.7 42.9 69.2 -- --
Kalamazoo, MI.................... 46.5 44.3 41.0 42.8 44.1
Lehigh Valley, PA................ 48.4 43.7 38.7 39.6 36.6
Madison, WI...................... 50.7 46.7 47.6 46.6 40.1
Norfolk, VA...................... 51.3 49.1 40.9 44.0 40.2
Peoria, IL......................... 40.9 45.7 44.1 39.1 33.7
Minneapolis, MN.................. 35.0 32.0 31.6 30.3 28.2
Northeast PA..................... 15.5 14.1 7.5 -- --
South Carolina.................. (.1) (2.1) (15.2) -- --
Total.......... 27.7% 25.4% 27.2% 31.5% 30.2%
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
(a) The 1996 and 1995 figures for Jackson, MI are included with Lansing, MI.
SALES AND MARKETING
The growth in the Company's revenues and Operating Cash Flow is primarily a
result of its focus on the use of sales and marketing staff to increase the
productivity of its inventory of displays while maintaining strict controls on
its expenses.
Historically, outdoor advertising companies have derived a significant
portion of their revenues from large national advertisers, such as tobacco
companies, auto manufacturers and distributors of alcoholic beverages. As
tobacco industry advertising purchases have declined in recent years, some
outdoor advertising companies have recently shifted their marketing focus to
local and regional advertisers to replace these lost revenues. Nonetheless,
large national advertisers continue to account for a significant percentage of
outdoor advertising industry revenues. Despite this fact, the Company believes
that sales to local and regional advertisers lend stability to its revenue
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stream by diversifying its customer base. The Company emphasizes sales to local
and regional customers. In 1999, the Company generated approximately 97.1% of
its net revenues from local and regional sales. The Company believes that the
Company's local and regional focus enables it to capitalize on the growing use
of outdoor media by advertisers that historically have relied on other media in
marketing their products and services, such as consumer product companies,
professional service firms, health care providers and financial institutions.
The Company's sales and marketing strategy has been successful largely due
to the efforts of its team of general managers in its markets. These general
managers have an average of over 15 years of experience in the outdoor
advertising industry and are responsible for implementing the Company's sales
and marketing strategy. Each of the Company's markets has a team of account
executives that is supported locally by a creative department, which provides
innovative marketing ideas, generates art work and designs billboard advertising
for potential customers' advertising campaigns. In addition, each market has a
business development staff, which makes available comprehensive information
about local market research, customer needs and advertising opportunities. This
allows the Company to assess the impact and potential reach for a potential
target customer's display in a given market. The sales and marketing departments
focus on increasing revenues through developing new marketing programs for
customers, educating both current and potential customers on the effectiveness
of the outdoor advertising product relative to other advertising media and
integrating this medium into a customer's marketing plan. The Company's sales
personnel are compensated primarily on a commission basis which maximizes their
incentive to perform.
The following table illustrates the diversity of the Company's markets and
customers by setting forth the percentage of the Company's gross revenues for
1999 attributable to each of the top ten advertising categories:
1999 REVENUES BY CATEGORY
(PERCENT OF GROSS REVENUES)
TOTAL
-----
Auto/Boat/Motorcycle/Recreational.......................... 10.2%
Restaurants................................................ 9.4
Telecommunications......................................... 5.6
Amusement/Entertainment.................................... 5.1
Hotel/Motel................................................ 4.0
Radio/Television/Cable..................................... 4.0
Tobacco.................................................... 3.6
Hospitals/Healthcare Providers ............................ 3.4
Banking/Financial Institutions............................. 2.9
Real Estate Agents/Brokers ................................ 2.7
All Others................................................. 49.1
------
Total........................................... 100.0%
======
LOCAL MARKET OPERATIONS
In each of its primary markets, the Company maintains a complete outdoor
advertising operation including a sales office, a construction and maintenance
facility, an art department equipped with state-of-the-art computer technology,
a real estate unit and support staff. The Company conducts its outdoor
advertising operations through these local offices, which is consistent with
senior management's belief that an organization with decentralized sales and
operations is more responsive to local market demand and provides greater
incentives to employees. At the same time, the Company maintains consolidated
accounting and financial controls, which allow it to monitor closely the
operating and financial performance of each market. The general managers, who
report directly to the Company's chief executive officer, are responsible for
the day-to-day operations of their offices and are compensated based on the
financial performance of their respective markets. In general, these local
managers oversee market development, production and local sales.
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Each local office is responsible for locating and ultimately obtaining
sites for the displays in its market. Each office has a leasing department,
which maintains an extensive data base containing information on local property
ownership, lease contract terms, zoning ordinances and permit requirements. The
Company owns certain of the sites on which its displays are located and leases
others. Site lease contracts vary in term but typically range from three to ten
years with various termination and renewal provisions. As of and for the twelve
months ended December 31, 1999, the Company had approximately 4,633 active site
leases accounting for a total land lease expense of approximately $8.6 million,
representing approximately 12.3% of net revenues.
In each of its primary markets, the Company has construction and
maintenance facilities, which facilitate the expeditious and economical
construction and maintenance of displays and the painting and mounting of
customers' advertisements. Typically, the Company uses vinyl skins for
bulletins. The vinyl skins are reusable, thereby reducing the Company's
production costs, and are easily transportable. Due to the geographic proximity
of the Company's markets and the transportability of vinyl skins, the Company
can shift production among markets to use its available capacity more
effectively. The local offices also maintain fully equipped art departments to
assist local customers in the development and production of creative, effective
advertisements.
COMPETITION
The Company competes in each of its markets with other outdoor advertisers
as well as other media, including broadcast and cable television, radio,
newspaper and direct mail marketers. In competing with other media, outdoor
advertising relies on its low cost-per-thousand impressions and its ability to
repetitively reach a broad segment of the population in a specific market or
geographic area within that market. In most of its markets, the Company
encounters direct competition from other major outdoor media companies,
including Outdoor Systems, Inc. and Whiteco, among others, each of which has a
large national network and resources significantly greater than the Company's.
The Company believes that its focus on local and regional advertisers and its
position as the leading provider of full service outdoor advertising in each of
its primary markets enable it to compete effectively with other outdoor media
operators, as well as other media, both within those markets and in each
respective region. The Company also competes with other outdoor advertising
companies for sites on which to build new structures.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The outdoor advertising industry is subject to governmental regulation at
the federal, state and local level. Federal law, principally the Highway
Beautification Act of 1965, encourages states, by the threat of withholding
federal appropriations for the construction and improvement of highways within
such states, to implement legislation to control outdoor advertising structures
located within 660 feet of or visible from interstates and primary highways,
except in commercial or industrial areas, and to force the removal at the
owner's expense and without any compensation of any nonconforming structures on
such highways. The Highway Beautification Act and the various state statutes
implementing it require the payment of just compensation whenever governmental
authorities require legally erected and maintained structures to be removed from
federally-aided highways.
States and local jurisdictions have, in some cases, passed additional
regulation on the construction, repair, upgrading, height, size and location of
outdoor advertising structures adjacent to federally-aided highways and other
thoroughfares. Such regulations, often in the form of municipal building, sign
or zoning ordinances, specify standards for the height, size and location of
outdoor advertising structures. In the event non-conforming advertising
structures are damaged, including damage caused by natural events, such as
windstorms and hurricanes, the Company may not be able to repair the structures.
In some cases, the construction of new or relocation of existing structures is
prohibited. Some jurisdictions also have restricted the ability to enlarge or
upgrade existing structures, such as converting from wood to steel or from
non-illuminated to illuminated structures. From time to time, governmental
authorities order the removal of structures by the exercise of eminent domain or
through various regulatory actions or other litigation. In such cases, the
Company seeks compensation under appropriate procedures and thus far, the
Company has been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for any of its
structures removed at the direction of governmental authorities. However,
compensation may not always be available in such circumstances. Some
municipalities have attempted to regulate outdoor advertising by taxing revenues
attributable to advertising structures, or by requiring the payment of annual
permit fees based on factors such as the square footage of an
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outdoor advertising company's display faces, located in those municipalities.
Other municipalities take into account lease payments received by lessors of
property on which advertising structures are located in making property tax
assessments. These taxes and fees can increase an outdoor advertising company's
direct operating costs.
Amortization legislation has also been adopted in some areas across the
country, including Charlotte, NC, one of the Company's markets. Amortization
only permits the owner of an outdoor advertising structure to operate its
structure as a non-conforming use for a specified period of time, after which it
must remove or otherwise conform its structure to the applicable regulations at
its own cost without any compensation. Some jurisdictions require the removal of
certain structures without any compensation if there is a change in use of the
premises (e.g., construction on previously unimproved land). Amortization and
such other regulations requiring the removal of structures without compensation
currently are subject to vigorous litigation in the state and federal courts,
which have reached differing conclusions as to their constitutionality.
In 1988, the company reached an agreement with the city of Charlotte, NC
that no boards will have to be removed for 5 years in settlement of the 1998
lawsuit with Charlotte, NC.
In other localities in which the Company operates, outdoor advertising
is subject to restrictive and, in some cases, prohibitive zoning regulations.
Management expects federal, state, and local regulations to continue to be a
significant factor in the operation of the Company's business
In recent years, there have been efforts to restrict billboard
advertising of certain products, including tobacco and alcohol. Congress has
passed no legislation at the federal level except legislation requiring health
hazard warnings similar to those on cigarette packages and print advertisements.
In November 1998, the major U.S. tobacco companies (the "Tobacco
Companies") reached an out of court settlement (the "Agreement") with 46 states,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and four other U.S.
territories (the "Settling States"). The remaining four states had already
reached similar settlements with the Tobacco Companies. The Agreement called for
the removal of tobacco advertising from out-of-home media, including billboards,
along with signs and placards in arenas, stadiums, shopping malls and video game
arcades by April 23, 1999. Additionally, the Agreement provided that, at the
Settling States' option, the Tobacco Companies must, at their expense,
substitute for tobacco advertising alternative advertising which discourages
youth smoking. That alternative advertising must remain in place for the
duration of the Tobacco Companies' out-of-home media advertising contracts which
existed as of the date of the Agreement. Although the extent of the future
impact on operations is not known, the Company has been successful thus far in
replacing tobacco advertising in its markets.
The elimination of tobacco advertising as called for by the Agreement
will cause a reduction in direct revenues from Tobacco Companies and may
simultaneously increase the available space on the existing inventory of
billboards in the outdoor advertising industry. Although the extent of the
future impact on operations is not known, the Company has been successful thus
far in replacing tobacco advertising in its Minneapolis market where settlement
was reached prior to the Agreement. While this is positive, the Company can give
no assurance that the further cutbacks in tobacco advertising during 1999 will
not have an adverse effect on operations for 1999 or beyond.
To date regulations applicable in the Company's markets have not
materially affected its operations, and compliance with those regulations has
not had a material impact on its costs. No assurance can be given, however, as
to the effect of changes in those regulations or of new regulations that may be
adopted in the future.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1999, the Company employed 334 persons, of whom
approximately 116 were primarily engaged in sales and marketing, 147 were
engaged in painting, posting, construction and maintenance of displays, and the
balance were employed in financial, administrative and similar capacities. No
employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement except for five
production shop workers in Peoria, IL covered by a collective bargaining
agreement with the Brotherhood and Painters and Allied Trades that expires on
December 31, 2000. Management considers its employee relations to be good.
9
<PAGE>
ITEM 2
FACILITIES
The Company's corporate office is located in Atlanta, GA. In addition, the
Company has an office and complete production and maintenance facilities in each
of Charlotte, NC; Charleston, SC; Orangeburg, SC; Florence, SC; Laurens, SC;
Kalamazoo, MI; Lansing, MI; Jackson, MI; Lehigh Valley, PA; Northeast PA;
Madison, WI; Norfolk, VA; and Peoria, IL. Additionally, the Company has a sales
office in Minneapolis, MN. The Peoria and Minneapolis facilities are leased, and
all other facilities are owned. The Company considers its facilities to be well
maintained and adequate for its current and reasonably anticipated future needs.
The Company owns approximately 141 parcels of real property that serve as
the sites for its outdoor displays. The Company also has easements on
approximately 147 parcels of real property on which it has outdoor displays.
Additionally, the Company's displays are located on sites leased or licensed by
the Company, typically for three to ten years with renewal options.
ITEM 3
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company from time to time is involved in litigation in the ordinary
course of business, including disputes involving advertising contracts, site
leases, employment claims, construction matters, condemnation and amortization.
The Company is also involved in routine administrative and judicial proceedings
regarding permits and fees relating to outdoor advertising structures and
compensation for condemnations. The Company is not a party to any lawsuit or
proceeding which, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company. See "Business--Government Regulation."
Information contained in this Annual Report, including, without limitation
information in this Business section may contain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology as "may,"
"will," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the
negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Certain
factors, including, the Company's substantial leverage, regulation of outdoor
advertising by federal, state and local governments, tobacco advertising
patterns, competition and general economic conditions, could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
ITEM 4
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
PART II
ITEM 5
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Not Applicable.
10
<PAGE>
ITEM 6
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data, insofar as it
relates to each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1999,
has been derived from the Company's financial information and should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial statements, including the Company's
balance sheets at December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the related statements of
operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1999 and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The selected
consolidated financial data should also be read in conjunction with the
information contained in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Gross revenues..................................... $74,808 $71,592 $63,302 $52,421 $ 47,589
Agency commissions................................. 6,768 7,023 6,017 5,161 4,698
----------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Net revenues....................................... 68,040 64,569 57,285 47,260 42,891
Direct advertising expenses........................ 33,508 32,097 29,089 22,412 20,848
Corporate general and administrative expense....... 3,660 3,903 3,589 2,405 1,114
Depreciation and amortization...................... 7,075 7,875 8,149 6,105 5,568
Deferred compensation expense(a)................... 2,479 4,316 901 1,451 2,427
----------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating income................................... 21,318 16,378 15,557 14,887 12,934
Interest expense................................... 16,577 14,408 14,601 12,523 11,263
Payments to partners.............................. 2,500 -- -- -- --
Other (income) expenses, net....................... (744) 78 43 (32) 16
Loss on disposal of assets, net.................... 369 378 122 861 93
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt. 194 330 -- -- --
----------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income................................... $2,422 $1,184 $791 $1,535 $1,562
=========== =========== ========= ========= =========
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.............. $1,616 $1,687 $3,121 $3,533 $2,131
Working capital........................ 7,768 4,805 3,096 4,969 5,944
Total assets........................... 83,989 78,193 77,474 77,114 48,211
Total debt............................. 168,947 132,728 135,034 133,421 107,443
Total member's deficit................. $(101,026) $(69,447) $(69,586) $(68,444) $(66,829)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
OTHER DATA:
Operating Cash Flow(b)................. $30,872 $28,569 $24,606 $22,443 $ 20,929
Capital expenditures................... $10,187 $10,144 $7,646 $4,419 $2,251
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(c).. 1.14x 1.09x 1.05x 1.11x 1.07x
Ratio of debt to net income............ 69.76 112.13 170.71 86.92 68.79
Cash flow provided by (used in):
Operating activities............... $9,760 $11,873 $7,150 $12,537 $9,151
Investing activities............... $(9,730) $(9,659) $(7,462) $(28,675) $ (1,979)
Financing activities............... $(101) $(3,647) $(100) $17,540 $ (6,763)
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
(a) Deferred compensation expense represents accrued expenses under certain
deferred compensation arrangements, including phantom stock and nonqualified
retirement plan agreements with certain key management personnel. The
phantom stock agreements in effect provide for the repurchase of the
"phantom stock" in three equal annual payments after each executive's
termination, death or disability, the sale of the Company, or the fifth
anniversary of the agreement's execution. See "Executive
Compensation--Agreements with Management--Incentive Compensation under
Phantom Stock Agreements."
(b) The following table sets forth the calculation of "Operating Cash Flow."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating income...................... $21,318 $16,378 $15,557 $14,887 $ 12,934
Depreciation and amortization......... 7,075 7,875 8,148 6,105 5,568
Deferred compensation expense......... 2,479 4,316 901 1,451 2,427
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Operating Cash Flow................... $30,872 $28,569 $24,606 $22,443 $ 20,929
======= ======= ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
Operating Cash Flow is not intended to represent net cash flow provided by
operating activities as defined by generally accepted accounting principles
and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator
of the Company's operating performance or to net cash provided by operating,
investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity or ability to
meet cash needs. The Company believes Operating Cash Flow is a measure
commonly reported and widely used by analysts, investors and other
interested parties in the media industry. Accordingly, this information has
been disclosed herein to permit a more complete comparative analysis of the
Company's operating performance relative to other companies in the media
industry. However, the definition of Operating Cash Flow or of similarly
defined terms may vary among companies and such differences should be noted
in comparing the Company's operating performance relative to other
companies. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations."
(c) Earnings consist of operating income plus fixed charges adjusted to exclude
capitalized interest. The Company's fixed charges consist of interest
expense plus amortization of deferred financing costs and the estimated
interest portion of rents.
ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
GENERAL
The Company is the seventh largest owner and operator of outdoor
advertising structures in the United States. The Company provides outdoor
advertising services through fourteen facilities in the Midwest, southeast and
mid-Atlantic states: Charlotte, NC; Charleston, SC; Orangeburg, SC; Florence,
SC; Laurens, SC; Kalamazoo, MI; Lansing, MI; Jackson, MI; Lehigh Valley, PA;
Northeast PA; Madison, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Norfolk, VA; and Peoria, IL. As of
December 31, 1999, the Company operated 9,586 advertising displays, including
2,567 painted bulletins, 6,809 30-sheet posters, and 210 junior (8-sheet)
posters.
The Company's business was founded in 1983 with the acquisition of Central
Outdoor Advertising, which had offices in Lansing, Jackson and Kalamazoo, MI.
Over the next five years, the Company pursued a strategy of geographic expansion
into additional medium-sized markets, primarily through the acquisition of
existing outdoor advertising businesses in selected Midwest, Southeast and
mid-Atlantic markets. This geographic expansion strategy has enabled the Company
to capitalize on the efficiencies, economies of scale and marketing
opportunities associated with operating outdoor advertising businesses located
in proximate or contiguous geographic markets.
As a result of its acquisition of outdoor advertising businesses from 1983
to 1988, the Company incurred substantial debt. Interest expense required to
service such debt, together with depreciation and amortization, has contributed
to historical marginal profits for the Company.
Since 1991, the Company has continued to strengthen its market share
through the construction and acquisition of displays in its existing markets,
introduction of transit advertising in its Madison, WI market and acquisitions,
in the last quarter of 1996, of operations in South Carolina and Pennsylvania.
This expansion has been financed through internally generated cash flow and
borrowings from the Company's $43 million credit facilities.
The following table presents certain information from the Consolidated
Statements of Operations as a percentage of net revenues for each of the three
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999.
12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenues......................................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Direct advertising expenses.......................................... 49.2 49.7 50.8
Corporate general and administrative expenses........................ 5.4 6.0 6.2
------- ------- -------
Operating Cash Flow.................................................. 45.4 44.3 43.0
Depreciation and amortization........................................ 10.4 12.2 14.2
Deferred compensation expense........................................ 3.6 6.7 1.6
------- ------- -------
Operating income..................................................... 31.3 25.4 27.2
Interest expense..................................................... 24.4 22.3 25.5
Payments to partners................................................. 3.7 - -
Other expenses (income), net......................................... (1.0) .2 .1
Loss on disposals of property and equipment, net..................... .5 .6 .2
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt................... .3 .5 -
------- ------- -------
Net income........................................................... 3.5% 1.8% 1.4%
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The Company's revenues are a function of both the occupancy rate of the
Company's outdoor advertising display inventory (the percentage of time that its
displays contain paid-for advertisements) and the rates that the Company charges
for use of its displays. The Company's business strategy includes the
optimization of the mix of rate and occupancy of its display inventory in order
to maximize revenues. Advertising rates for the Company's displays are based
upon a variety of factors, including historical base rates, the time of year,
and the occupancy rate of a particular market's display inventory.
The following table presents the number of painted bulletins and 30-sheet
poster displays operated by the Company and the average rates and occupancy
levels with respect to such displays for the three years ended December 31,
1999. These figures do not include junior-posters and route town paints.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1999 1998 1997 (2)
---- ---- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Number of Displays:
Painted Bulletins................................................. 2,567 2,529 1,934
30-Sheet Posters.................................................. 6,809 6,704 4,892
Average Rates: (1)
Painted Bulletins................................................. $1,729 $1,583 $1,624
30-Sheet Posters.................................................. $538 $489 $529
Average Occupancy:
Painted Bulletins................................................. 75% 78% 73%
30-Sheet Posters.................................................. 64% 69% 69%
</TABLE>
(1) Represents average rate per display per month
(2) The figures for 1997 do not include the South Carolina market.
The primary operating expenses incurred by the Company are advertising
agency commissions, lease payments to property owners for use of the land on
which the Company's displays are located, operational and administrative costs
and sales expenses (primarily commissions). Of these expenses, advertising
agency commissions, sales expenses, and certain operational and administrative
costs are considered direct costs. Commissions are paid to advertising agencies
that contract for the use of the Company's advertising displays on behalf of
advertisers. These agency commissions are deducted from gross revenues to
calculate net revenues.
13
<PAGE>
The Company currently maintains a phantom stock program under which certain
executive management personnel and general managers have the ability to earn
deferred compensation based upon the operating performance of the Company or, in
the case of the general managers, their respective divisions. Annual accruals
under the program are based upon exceeding a base level of operating profit. The
Company believes that its phantom stock program provides its senior employees
incentives to continue improving the operating performance of the Company.
The Company's marketing strategy of servicing local and regional
advertisers and reducing its dependence on national and tobacco advertising
resulted in moderate increases in overall revenues during a time when national
advertising dollars, primarily tobacco, were declining. The Company concentrates
its marketing efforts on generating sales from local and regional advertisers in
each of its markets, including those advertisers within industries and product
categories that have not historically been traditional users of outdoor media.
These potential advertisers include fast food restaurants, retailers, food
stores, casinos, cellular and telecommunications companies, building supply
retailers, radio stations, travel-related industries and medical care providers.
This focus on local and regional advertisers has been critical to the Company's
ability to control revenue fluctuations resulting from the variability and
potential long-term decline of revenues attributable to the tobacco products
industry, which represented 2.9% of the Company's net revenues in 1999, 10.3% in
1998, 10.5% in 1997, 12.5% in 1996 and 12.6% in 1995. Sales to local and
regional advertisers accounted for 97.1% of the Company's net revenues in 1999.
The Company's sales and marketing strategy has been successful largely due
to its team of general managers in its markets. These key managers have an
average of 15 years of industry experience. The Company also has integrated a
business development department into each market, making available to each
region's sales force comprehensive information about local market research,
customer needs and advertising opportunities. The business development
departments have given the Company's sales departments significantly improved
information and tools to develop additional local and regional advertising
customers, especially with many customers that have not historically advertised
through the outdoor medium. Sales representatives have been able to use these
additional resources to develop creative ideas for new customers and educate
them about the cost effectiveness of outdoor advertising in attempting to reach
their customers. The Company considers its emphasis on local and regional sales,
the expertise and tenure of its managers and its marketing and customer service
capabilities to be factors which enhance the productivity of its inventory of
advertising displays.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
Net revenues (gross revenues net of agency commissions) for 1999 of
$68.0 million increased by 5.4% from $64.6 million for 1998. This increase
resulted from higher advertising rates in certain markets and an increase in the
number of displays sold.
Direct advertising expenses for 1999 of $33.5 million increased by 4.4%
from $32.1 million in 1998. The increase was attributable to direct costs
associated with increased sales from new displays and an increase in sales
commissions due to higher average rates.
Corporate general and administrative expenses for 1999 of $3.7 million
decreased by 6.2% from $3.9 million in 1998. This decrease was attributable to a
couple of things in particular: the Company purchased an airplane in 1999, which
eliminated the lease costs which were incurred for air travel during 1998. In
addition, all costs associated with the new Company logo and identification
project were incurred in 1998.
Depreciation and amortization for 1999 of $7.1 million decreased by
10.2% from $7.9 million in 1998. Depreciation expense decreased as a result of
the expiration of the depreciable life of certain assets during 1999.
Deferred compensation expense for 1999 of $2.5 million decreased by
42.6% from $4.3 million in 1998 primarily due to the inclusion of the Chief
Executive Officer in the Phantom Stock Plan to acquire his 3% interest in the
company and the additional vesting of General Managers under the Phantom Stock
Plan in 1998.
14
<PAGE>
Interest expense for 1999 of $16.6 million increased 6.6% from $14.4
million in 1998 primarily due to the issuance of $50 million of new debt in May
1999. The Company's effective interest rate decreased to 10.1% for 1999 from
10.2% for 1998.
Net income for 1999 increased to $2.4 million from $1.2 million in 1998
as a result of the items discussed above.
Operating cash flow for 1999 of $30.9 million increased by 8.1% from
$28.6 million in 1998. This increase was attributable to the aforementioned
increase in net revenues coupled with only a modest increase in total operating
expenses.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED WITH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
Net revenues (gross revenues net of agency commissions) for 1998 of
$64.6 million increased by 12.7% from $57.3 million for 1997. This increase
resulted from higher advertising rates in certain markets and an increase in the
number of displays sold.
Direct advertising expenses for 1998 of $32.1 million increased by
10.3% from $29.1 million in 1997. The increase was attributable to direct costs
associated with increased sales from new displays and an increase in sales
commissions due to higher average rates.
Corporate general and administrative expenses for 1998 of $3.9 million
increased by 8.8% from $3.6 million in 1997. This increase was attributable to
increased travel expenses and costs associated with the new Company logo and
identification project.
Depreciation and amortization for 1998 of $7.9 million decreased by
3.4% from $8.1 million in 1997. Depreciation expense decreased as a result of
the expiration of the depreciable life of certain assets during 1998.
Deferred compensation expense for 1998 of $4.3 million increased
significantly from $901,000 in 1997 primarily due to the inclusion of the Chief
Executive Officer in the Phantom Stock Plan to acquire his 3% interest in the
company and the additional vesting of General Managers under the Phantom Stock
Plan.
Interest expense for 1998 of $14.4 million decreased 1.2% from $14.6
million in 1997. This decrease was attributable to a lower interest rate in
1998. The Company's effective interest rate decreased to 10.2% for 1998 from
10.4% for 1997.
Net income for 1998 increased to $1.2 million from $791,000 in 1997 as
a result of the items discussed above.
Operating cash flow for 1998 of $28.6 million increased by 16.1% from
$24.6 million in 1997. This increase was attributable to the aforementioned
increase in net revenues coupled with only a modest increase in total operating
expenses.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Historically, the Company's cash needs have arisen from operating expenses
(primarily direct advertising expenses and corporate general and administrative
expenses), debt service, capital expenditures and deferred compensation payments
under phantom stock agreements. The Company's interest expense was $16.6 million
in 1999, $14.4 million in 1998 and $14.6 million in 1997.
The Company's primary sources of cash are net cash generated from operating
activities and borrowings under its credit facility. The Company's net cash
provided from operations decreased by 17.8% to $9.8 million for 1999, increased
by 66.1% to $11.9 million for 1998 and decreased by 43.0% to $7.1 million for
1997.
15
<PAGE>
In 1996, the Company issued $105 million in aggregate principal amount of
its 10-3/4% Senior Notes due 2006 (the "Senior Notes") and entered into a
revolving credit facility, which was increased to $35 million in December 1996.
As a result of such financings, borrowings for acquisitions in 1996 and for
capital expenditures in 1997, the average outstanding indebtedness increased in
1996 and 1997. In May 1999, AOA Holding, together with its wholly-owned
subsidiary, AOA Capital, placed $50 million of Senior Notes at 10-3/8% due 2006
under an indenture. During 1997, the Company had interest expense of $14.6
million on average outstanding indebtedness of $135.3 million, resulting in an
effective annual interest rate of 10.4%. During 1998, the Company had interest
expense of $14.4 million on average outstanding indebtedness of $136.7 million,
resulting in an effective annual interest rate of 10.2%. During 1999, the
Company had interest expense of $16.6 million on average outstanding
indebtedness of $158.2 million, resulting in an effective annual interest rate
of 10.1%. Scheduled interest payments on the Senior Notes aggregate
approximately $15.7 million per year.
In November 1998, the senior unsecured credit facility was increased to $8
million. At December 31, 1999 nothing was outstanding under such facility.
Substantially all of the assets of the Company are pledged to secure
indebtedness of up to $35.0 million (of which approximately $21.3 million was
outstanding as of December 31, 1999) under the revolving credit facility and,
accordingly, the lenders thereunder will have a prior claim on those assets.
Permitted borrowings under the revolving credit facility are subject to various
conditions. In addition, the availability of borrowings are subject to
compliance with certain financial covenants. The agreement governing the
revolving credit facility contains a number of covenants that are more
restrictive than those contained in the indenture, including covenants requiring
the Company to maintain certain financial ratios that become more restrictive
over time. Adverse operating results could cause noncompliance with one or more
of these covenants, reducing the Company's borrowing availability, and, in
certain circumstances, entitling the lenders to accelerate the maturity of
outstanding borrowings. In November 1998 the senior unsecured credit facility
was increased to $8 million. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company was in
compliance with all covenants.
On March 31, 1998, the Company entered into an additional $3 million senior
unsecured credit facility. In September 1998, the proceeds from the senior
unsecured facility were used to purchase $4 million of the Company's Senior
Notes on the open market at 105% of principal plus accrued interest. As a result
of the redemption, the Company recognized an extraordinary loss of $330,000,
which represented the redemption premium plus recognition of a proportionate
share of the associated deferred financing fees.
On June 30, 1999, the Company purchased $1,250,000 of its Senior Notes
on the open market at 106% of principal plus accrued interest. During the third
quarter of 1999, additional amounts of $2,000,000 and $75,000 were purchased at
105 3/4% and 105 1/2%, respectively. As a result of these redemptions, the
Company recognized an extraordinary loss of $194,000, which represented the
redemption premium plus recognition of a proportionate share of the associated
deferred financing fees.
The Company believes that net cash provided from operations and available
credit under the revolving credit facility will be sufficient to meet its cash
needs for its current operations, required debt payments, anticipated capital
expenditures and the deferred compensation payments for the reasonably
foreseeable future.
The Company increased its debt by $36.2 million in 1999, reduced its debt
by $2.3 million in 1998 and increased its debt by $1.8 million in 1997. The
Company also made capital expenditures, primarily for new billboard construction
in existing markets, of $10.2 million in 1999, $10.1 million in 1998 and $7.6
million in 1997. The Company expects that its capital expenditures during 2000
will be approximately $11.0 million and will be primarily for new billboard
construction and the upgrading of existing displays. The Company expects to
finance such capital expenditures with cash flow provided by operating
activities or borrowings under the revolving credit facilities.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
Though increases in operating costs could adversely affect the Company's
operations, management does not believe that inflation has had a material effect
on operating profit during the past several years.
16
<PAGE>
SEASONALITY
Although revenues during the first and fourth quarters are slightly lower
than the other quarters, management does not believe that seasonality has a
significant impact on the operations or cash flow of the Company.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information contained in this Form 10-K, including, without limitation in
the foregoing Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations may contain "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology as "may," "will," "would,"
"expect," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the negative thereof or
other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Certain factors, including
the Company's substantial leverage, regulation of outdoor advertising by
federal, state and local governments, tobacco advertising patterns, competition
and general economic conditions, could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in such forward-looking statements.
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
OVERVIEW
The "Year 2000 issue" had no effect on the Company.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This statement,
which will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2001, establishes
accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument
(including certain embedded in other contracts) be recorded in the balance sheet
as either assets or liabilities measured at its fair value. The statement
requires that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in
earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company has not
yet quantified the impact of adopting SFAS No. 133 and has not determined the
timing or method of its adoption, however it is not expected that adoption will
have a material impact on earnings.
ITEM 7A
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. The
information below summarizes the Company's market risk associated with its debt
obligations as of December 31, 1999. The information presented below should be
read in conjunction with Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
INTEREST RATE RISK
The Company carries some floating rate debt and thus is exposed to the impact of
interest rate changes. At December 31, 1999, indebtedness under its revolving
credit facility, representing approximately 12.6% of the Company's long-term
debt, bears interest at variable rates. Accordingly, the Company's net income
and cash flow are affected by changes in interest rates. A 91 basis point move
in interest rates (10% of the Company's weighted average interest rate) would
have an immaterial impact on earnings and cashflow.
Fluctuations in interest rates may also adversely affect the fair market value
of the Company's fixed rate borrowings. The fair value of debt with a fixed
interest rate will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest
rates rise. The Company's fixed rate borrowings consist of $97.7 million of
senior notes bearing interest at
17
<PAGE>
10 3/4% and $50.0 million of parent senior notes bearing interest at 10 3/8%. A
91 basis point move in interest rates would also have an immaterial effect on
the fair value of the Company's fixed rate senior notes.
ITEM 8
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
The information required by Item 9 was previously reported by the Company.
Please see the Company's report on Form 8-K filed on September 15, 1998.
PART III
ITEM 10
MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The executive officers and directors of Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc.,
the managing general partner of the Company, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
--------------------------------- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Stephen Adams.................... 62 Chairman of the Board
J. Kevin Gleason................. 48 Chief Executive Officer, President and
Director
Abe Levine....................... 46 Chief Financial Officer, Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer
George Pransky................... 59 Director
David Frith-Smith................ 54 Director
Andris A. Baltins................ 54 Director
</TABLE>
STEPHEN ADAMS has been Chairman of Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. since
its founding in 1983. Since the 1970's, Mr. Adams has served as chairman of
privately owned banking, bottling, publishing, outdoor advertising, television
and radio companies in which he held a controlling ownership interest. Mr. Adams
is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Affinity Group, Inc., a
membership-based marketing company.
J. KEVIN GLEASON has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
and President of Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. since 1991. Mr. Gleason has
seventeen years of experience in advertising, eleven of which have been
dedicated to the outdoor advertising industry. Mr. Gleason has been with Adams
Outdoor Advertising, Inc. since 1987, serving as General Manager of various
local markets and then as Executive Vice President at the corporate level. Prior
to joining Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc., Mr. Gleason served as General
Manager of
18
<PAGE>
Naegele Outdoor Advertising ( "Naegele ") of Southern California from 1985 to
1987. Mr. Gleason also currently serves as a Vice-Chairman of the Outdoor
Advertising Association of America.
ABE LEVINE has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and as Vice
President of Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. since 1991. From 1988 to 1991, Mr.
Levine worked as Controller of Adams Outdoor Advertising of Atlanta, Inc. Mr.
Levine was employed by Gulf + Western Industries, Inc. from 1979 through 1987 in
various senior accounting and financial positions, and by KPMG Peat Marwick from
1975 through 1979 in various auditing positions.
GEORGE PRANSKY, PH.D. has been in private practice as co-director of
Pransky and Associates in La Conner, Washington since 1988. He is a frequent
consultant for government and private agencies and has been a contract faculty
member for a number of educational institutions, including the University of
Washington, the University of Oregon and Antioch College. Dr. Pransky has
trained management groups in team building, stress elimination and management
development for fifteen years.
DAVID FRITH-SMITH has served as managing partner of Biller, Frith-Smith &
Archibald, Certified Public Accountants, since 1988. Mr. Frith-Smith was a
principal in Maidy and Lederman, Certified Public Accountants, from 1980 to
1984, and with Maidy Biller Frith-Smith & Brenner, Certified Public Accountants,
from 1984 to 1988. Mr. Frith-Smith is a director of various private and
non-profit corporations.
ANDRIS A. BALTINS has been a member of the law firm of Kaplan, Strangis and
Kaplan, P.A. since 1979. He is a director of Polaris Industries Inc., a
manufacturer of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft and
related products. Mr. Baltins is also a director of various private and
non-profit corporations.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to other
significant management personnel:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
<S> <C>
Jon Kane........................... 34 General Manager - Lansing, MI
Jim Balestino...................... 35 General Manager - Jackson, MI
Mike Peters........................ 37 General Manager - Kalamazoo, MI
John Hayes......................... 46 General Manager - Lehigh Valley,
and Northeast PA
Michelle Kullmann.................. 31 General Manager - Madison, WI
Gardner King....................... 47 General Manager - Norfolk, VA
Barry M. Asmann.................... 42 General Manager - Charlotte, NC
Robert J. Lord..................... 40 General Manager - Peoria, IL
Robert A. Graiziger................ 46 General Manager - Minneapolis, MN
Jerry Heinz........................ 57 General Manager - South Carolina
</TABLE>
JON KANE has been general manager of the Lansing, MI division since July
1997. He joined the Company in 1989 as an account executive in its Lehigh
Valley, PA division. He also served as regional sales manager and poster sales
manager for Lehigh and was later promoted to general manager of the Madison, WI
division before being transferred to Lansing.
19
<PAGE>
JIM BALESTINO has served as General Manager of the Jackson, MI division
since January 1999. He joined the Company in 1997 as the Sales Manager in its
Florence, SC division. Mr. Balestino previously held the position of General
Sales Manager with FKM Advertising in Youngstown, OH. In addition, he served as
the Regional Account Manager and Market Development Manager from 1992 until
1995. He began his career in 1988 as a Real Estate/Account Executive for Penn
Advertising in Altoona, PA.
MIKE PETERS has been general manager of the Kalamazoo, MI division since
October, 1996. He began his outdoor advertising career in 1985 as an account
executive with Creative Displays in Lehigh Valley, PA. Mr. Peters stayed on as
an account executive when Adams purchased Creative Displays and in 1989 was
promoted to sales manager. He has thirteen years of experience in the outdoor
advertising industry.
JOHN HAYES has served as general manager of the Lehigh Valley, PA division
from 1985 to 1991 and from 1994 to the present. He began his career in outdoor
advertising in 1976 as an account executive with Creative Displays in the Lehigh
Valley market, later becoming sales manager in 1979 and assistant manager in
1981. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Hayes managed a paging business in the Lehigh
Valley area.
MICHELLE KULLMANN has been general manager of the Madison, Wisconsin
division since June 1997. Michelle first started with Adams in 1991 as an
account executive. In 1993 she was promoted to sales manager of Madison and held
that position until her most recent promotion to General Manager.
GARDNER KING has served as general manager of the Norfolk, VA division
since January 1988. From 1980 through 1985, Mr. King was the founder and sole
proprietor of an outdoor advertising company in Norfolk, VA, which he sold to
Whiteco. After the expiration of his non-compete agreement with Whiteco, Mr.
King joined the Company in 1988. Mr. King has 16 years of experience in the
outdoor advertising industry.
BARRY ASMANN has served as general manager of the Charlotte, NC division
since January 1993 and prior thereto was sales manager in both the Charlotte, NC
and Lehigh Valley, PA divisions. Mr. Asmann has 13 years of experience in the
outdoor advertising industry, working in various markets throughout the country
with the Company and Naegele.
ROBERT LORD has served as general manager of the Peoria, IL division since
December 1993. From February 1993 to December 1993, he served as the sales
manager of the Company's Charlotte division and from 1989 to January 1993, he
served as the sales manager of the Company's Peoria, IL division. Mr. Lord
served as an account executive in the Peoria division from 1986 to 1989.
ROBERT GRAIZIGER has served as general manager of the Minneapolis, MN
division since 1988, when he sold an outdoor advertising company that he founded
and operated in Minneapolis to the Company. Mr. Graiziger has been involved in
the outdoor advertising business in various capacities since 1978.
JERRY HEINZ has served as general manager of the South Carolina division
since December 1996. He came to Adams Outdoor from Burkhart Advertising, Inc.
Mr. Heinz joined Burkhart Advertising, Inc. in 1969 as an account executive.
During the next 27 years, Mr. Heinz held the positions of sales manager, general
manager and finally as President and CEO.
ITEM 11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table provides certain summary information concerning the
compensation incurred by the Company for its Chief Executive Officer and each of
the two other executive officers for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998,
and 1997.
20
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION PAYOUTS
--------------------------------------- -----------
OTHER ALL
ANNUAL RESTRICTED SECURITIES OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL COMPEN- STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP COMPEN-
POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(A) SATION(B) AWARD(S) OPTIONS PAYOUTS SATION(C)
- ------------------ ------- ------ -------- --------- --------- ------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Stephen Adams 1999 $220,000(e)
Chairman(d) 1998 $212,000(e)
1997 $200,000(e)
J. Kevin Gleason 1999 $456,692 $1,010,053 $35,000
Chief Executive 1998 $414,843 $3,621,000 $35,000
Officer 1997 $436,000 $34,750
Abe Levine 1999 $180,000 $19,500
Chief Financial 1998 $180,000 $18,923
Officer 1997 $180,000 $19,750
</TABLE>
(a) All amounts represent accruals under deferred phantom stock agreements.
(b) Less than the lesser of (i) 10% of total annual salary and bonus and (ii)
$50,000.
(c) Amounts for 1999, 1998, and 1997 include contributions to the accounts of
Messrs. Gleason and Levine under the Company's nonqualified retirement plan
of $30,000 and $15,000, respectively. All other amounts represent Company
contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan.
(d) The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Adams providing
for a salary of $200,000 per year, adjusted for annual cost of living
increases, and the reimbursement of business expenses.
(e) Does not include reimbursement of company travel and entertainment expense
advanced by Mr. Adams aggregating $105,298 in 1997. Nothing was reimbursed
to Mr. Adams in 1998 or 1999.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
The Company and Stephen Adams entered into an employment agreement
effective January 1, 1996. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Adams is employed
as Chairman of Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. until December 31, 2001 at a base
salary of $200,000 plus an annual cost of living increase.
AGREEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT--INCENTIVE COMPENSATION UNDER PHANTOM STOCK
AGREEMENTS
The Company has deferred phantom stock agreements with certain managers,
including each general manager with respect to the performance of his respective
market. The compensation is calculated using a multiple of the operating profit
of the general manager's respective division for the fiscal year ending
immediately prior to the determination date over the value of the division at
the time of agreement. The agreements provide for three equal annual payments to
the participants upon the determination date, which is defined as termination of
employment, death, disability, sale of the Company or the fifth anniversary of
the execution of the agreement. The Company incurred deferred compensation
expense related to the phantom stock agreements of $2.5 million, $4.3 million
and $901,000, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998, and
1997, respectively.
As of December 31, 1999, the Company has accrued the following amounts of
deferred compensation expense payable related to the phantom stock agreements:
21
<PAGE>
NAME AMOUNT
--------------------------- ----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Kevin Gleason........................... $1,935
Abe Levine.............................. --
Others.................................. 1,860
----------
Total.................... $ 3,795
==========
If amounts accrued as of December 31, 1999 as deferred compensation payable
related to the phantom stock agreements are paid as currently scheduled
(assuming no executive terminations, deaths or disabilities), such payments will
occur as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 TOTAL
------ ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- -----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Kevin Gleason............ $-- $-- $645 $645 $645 $-- $1,935
Abe Levine............... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Others................... 734 241 323 270 214 78 1,860
--- --- --- --- --- -- -----
Total.......... $734 $241 $968 $915 $859 $78 $3,795
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== === ======
</TABLE>
AGREEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE COMPENSATION UNDER NONQUALIFIED RETIREMENT
PLAN
The Company also maintains a deferred compensation plan for each of Messrs.
Gleason, Levine and each of the area general managers. Under such plan, the
Company contributes $30,000 per year to the retirement account of Mr. Gleason
and $15,000 per year to the account of each of the other participants. In
addition, Messrs. Gleason and Levine deferred a substantial portion of their
1999 and 1998 compensation into a similar plan. Deferred compensation payable as
of December 31, 1999 related to the nonqualified retirement plans was
approximately $3.2 million.
401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
Company employees also participate in a deferred savings and profit sharing
plan (the "401(k) Plan") qualified under Section 401(a) and 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). All employees over age 21 who have completed
one year of service are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Eligible
employees may contribute to the 401(k) Plan up to 10% of their salary subject to
an annual maximum established under the Code, and the Company matches these
employee contributions at a rate of 50% up to the first 6% of the employee's
salary. Employees may make additional voluntary contributions.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Following the refinancing, the Company pays directors who are not also
employees (Messrs. Pransky, Frith-Smith and Baltins) director fees of $5,400 per
quarter.
ITEM 12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS & MANAGEMENT
PRINCIPAL SECURITY HOLDERS
The table below sets forth, the beneficial ownership interests in the Company as
of December 31, 1999.
22
<PAGE>
AGGREGATE
MEMBER'S
NAME INTEREST
----------------------------------- --------
Stephen Adams................................. 100.00%
2575 Vista Del Mar Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
ITEM 13
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Stephen Adams, J. Kevin Gleason and Abe Levine own 57%, 14% and 14%,
respectively, of HSP Graphics ("HSP"), a printing company headquartered in
Canada. The Company pays the salary and expenses of the HSP salesmen who operate
in the Atlanta, GA area and HSP reimburses the Company for those expenses in
cash and services. At December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company had accounts
receivable of $21,869, $114 and $227,991, respectively, outstanding from HSP.
The Company expensed $11,000 and $84,000 for printing services provided during
1998, and 1997, respectively. Nothing was expensed in 1999 for these services.
During 1998, the Company entered into a building lease with J. Kevin
Gleason, an officer of the Company. The lease term is for 10 years and has been
classified as an operating lease. Rent expense of approximately $52,000 related
to this transaction has been included in direct advertising expense during the
year ended December 31, 1998. The Company exercised its option to purchase the
building in 1999.
23
<PAGE>
ITEM 14
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Documents filed
(1) Financial statements (included under Item 8)
(2) Financial statement schedules
S-1 Independent Public Accountants' Reports on Schedule
S-2 Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(3) Exhibits
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
The company filed no reports on form 8-K during the quarter
ended December 31, 1997.
(c) Exhibits
Included in Item 14 (a) (3) above.
(d) Financial Statements Schedules
Included in Item 14 (a) (2) above.
Financial Statement Schedules
- Identify
Signature Page
- Power of Attorney
Exhibit Index (Item 601, Reg. S-K)
- Financial Data Schedules Item 601 (b) (27)
24
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
To: AOA HOLDING LLC
We have audited in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States, the consolidated balance sheets of AOA Holding LLC and
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, member's deficit, and cash flows for the years then
ended, and have issued our report thereon dated February 25, 2000. Our audits
were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial
statements taken as a whole. The accompanying Schedule II-Valuation and
Qualifying Accounts is the responsibility of the company's management and is
presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This
schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of
the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all
material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Atlanta, GA
February 25, 2000
25
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Adams Outdoor Advertising Limited Partnership:
Under date of March 18, 1998, we reported on the consolidated balance
sheets of Adams Outdoor Advertising Limited Partnership as of December 31, 1997,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in partners'
equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period
ended December 31, 1997, as contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for the
year 1998. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated
financial statements, we also audited the related consolidated financial
statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. This financial statement
schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our
audits.
In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
KPMG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
March 18, 1998
26
<PAGE>
ADAMS OUTDOOR ADVERTISING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions:
Balance at Charged to Balance
beginning costs and at end
Description of period expenses Deductions (a) of period
----------- --------- -------- -------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1999 Allowance for Doubtful
Accounts $648,101 870,285 (351,294) $1,167,092
1998 Allowance for Doubtful
Accounts $700,429 287,494 (339,823) $648,101
1997 Allowance for Doubtful
Accounts $696,260 231,973 (227,804) $700,429
</TABLE>
(a) Write-offs, net of recoveries
27
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ADAMS OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Adams Outdoor
Advertising, Inc., its
general partner
By: /s/ J. Kevin Gleason
-------------------------------
J. Kevin Gleason
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ADAMS OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, INC.
By: /s/ J. Kevin Gleason
-------------------------------
J. Kevin Gleason
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ J. Kevin Gleason President, Chief Executive Officer March 30, 2000
----------------------------- and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
J. Kevin Gleason
/s/ Abe Levine Chief Financial Officer (Principal March 30, 2000
----------------------------- Financial and Accounting Officer)
Abe Levine
* Chairman of the Board (Director) March 30, 2000
-----------------------------
Stephen Adams
* Director March 30, 2000
-----------------------------
Andris A. Baltins
* Director March 30, 2000
-----------------------------
David Frith-Smith
* Director March 30, 2000
-----------------------------
George Pransky
* By: /s/ J. Kevin Gleason
-----------------------
J. Kevin Gleason
(as attorney-in-fact)
</TABLE>
J. Kevin Gleason, pursuant to powers of attorney, executed by each of the
officers and directors listed above whose name is marked by an "*" filed as
an exhibit hereto to this Report, by signing his name hereto, does hereby
sign and execute this report of Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. on behalf of
each such officers and directors in the capacities in which the names of
each appear.
28
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
- -----------------
(FORM 10-K)
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that ADAMS OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, INC., a
Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and each of the undersigned directors of
the Company, hereby constitutes and appoints J. Kevin Gleason and Abe Levine and
each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone) its/his/her true and
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for it/him/her and on its/him/her and in
its/his/her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign, execute,
affix its/his/her seal thereto and file the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the
Company and Adams Outdoor Advertising Limited Partnership for the year ended
December 31, 1999 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, with
any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and all documents
required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory authority.
There is hereby granted to said attorneys, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in respect of the foregoing as fully as it/he/she or
itself/himself/herself might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, but all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument and any of the undersigned directors may
execute this Power of Attorney by signing any such counterpart.
Adams Outdoor Advertising, Inc. has caused this Power of Attorney to be
executed in its name by its Chief Executive Officer on the 30th day of March,
2000.
ADAMS OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, INC.
By /s/ J. Kevin Gleason
--------------------------------
J. Kevin Gleason
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND PRESIDENT
29
<PAGE>
The undersigned, directors of ADAMS OUTDOOR ADVERTISING, INC., have hereunto set
their hands as of the 30th day of March, 2000.
/s/ Stephen Adams /s/ J. Kevin Gleason
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Stephen Adams J. Kevin Gleason
/s/ David Frith-Smith /s/ George Pransky
--------------------------- ----------------------------
David Frith-Smith George Pransky
/s/ Andris A. Baltins
---------------------------
Andris A. Baltins
D I R E C T O R S
30
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- ------------
27 Financial Data Schedules for AOA Holding LLC
and Subsidiaries
31
<PAGE>
AOA Holding LLC and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Financial Statements
as of December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997
Together With Auditors' Report
<PAGE>
AOA Holding LLC and Subsidiaries
consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1999 and 1998
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31,
1999, 1998, and 1997
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member's Deficit for the Years
Ended December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
1999, 1998, and 1997
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To AOA Holding LLC:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AOA HOLDING LLC
(a Minnesota limited partnership) AND SUBSIDIARIES as of December 31, 1999 and
1998 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in member's
deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The financial
statements of AOA Holding LLC and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1997 were audited by other auditors whose report dated March 18,
1998 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of AOA Holding LLC and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the two years then ended in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 25, 2000
<PAGE>
AOA HOLDING LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND 1998
ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,616,105 $ 1,686,788
Investments 3,165,524 1,878,977
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
of $1,167,092 and $648,101 in 1999 and 1998, respectively 9,017,351 8,423,606
Other accounts receivable (Note 3) 45,115 129,059
Inventories 92,632 68,674
Prepaid rent 2,992,547 2,826,362
Prepaid expenses 679,742 647,103
------------- -------------
Total current assets 17,609,016 15,660,569
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, net 56,525,883 53,350,148
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net 9,786,648 9,107,911
OTHER ASSETS 67,549 74,076
------------- -------------
$ 83,989,096 $ 78,192,704
============= ==============
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S DEFICIT
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 925,559 $ 557,626
Interest payable 4,819,672 3,606,150
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 3,361,280 2,583,609
Deferred compensation 734,266 4,108,077
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 9,840,777 10,855,462
LONG-TERM DEBT 168,947,288 132,727,500
DEFERRED COMPENSATION 6,226,425 4,057,232
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 175,173,713 147,640,194
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)
MEMBER's DEFICIT (101,025,394) (69,447,490)
------------- -------------
$ 83,989,096 $ 78,192,704
============= =============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated balance sheets.
<PAGE>
AOA HOLDING LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998, AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
GROSS REVENUES $74,807,990 $71,591,716 $63,301,642
Less agency commissions 6,768,065 7,023,144 6,017,105
------------ ------------ -------------
Net outdoor advertising revenue 68,039,925 64,568,572 57,284,537
------------ ------------ -------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Direct advertising expenses 33,507,976 32,096,318 29,089,188
Corporate, general, and administrative 3,659,785 3,903,136 3,589,189
Depreciation and amortization 7,074,751 7,875,001 8,148,621
Deferred compensation 2,479,409 4,315,971 900,876
------------ ------------ -------------
Total operating expenses 46,721,921 48,190,426 41,727,874
------------ ------------ -------------
OPERATING INCOME 21,318,004 16,378,146 15,556,663
------------ ------------ -------------
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense 16,576,343 14,407,950 14,586,568
Interest expense--related party 0 0 13,934
Payments to Partnership minority limited partners 2,500,000 0 0
Other (income) expenses, net (54,138) 79,539 165,199
Unrealized gain on investments (689,047) (712) (122,682)
Loss on disposals of property, plant, and
equipment, net 368,843 377,853 122,287
------------ ------------ -------------
Total other expenses 18,702,001 14,864,630 14,765,306
------------ ------------ -------------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY
EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT 2,616,003 1,513,516 791,357
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT 194,125 329,778 0
------------ ------------ -------------
NET INCOME $ 2,421,878 $ 1,183,738 $ 791,357
============ ============ =============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated statements.
<PAGE>
AOA HOLDING LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN MEMBER'S DEFICIT
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998, AND 1997
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996 $ (68,444,478)
Net income 791,357
Distributions (1,933,107)
-------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997 (69,586,228)
Net income 1,183,738
Distributions (1,045,000)
-------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998 (69,447,490)
Net income 2,421,878
Distributions (33,999,782)
-------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1999 $(101,025,394)
=============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated statements.
<PAGE>
AOA HOLDING LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998, AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 2,421,878 $ 1,183,738 $ 791,357
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt 194,125 329,778 0
Depreciation 6,185,471 7,043,434 7,294,989
Amortization of intangible assets 1,447,924 1,308,205 1,423,664
Deferred compensation expense 2,479,409 4,315,971 900,876
Payments for deferred compensation (4,064,027) (1,332,193) (1,118,144)
Loss on disposals of property, plant, and equipment,
net 368,843 377,853 122,287
Change in unrealized gain on investments (689,047) (712) (122,682)
Barter loss (income) 152,708 (24,729) 42,692
Purchases of investments (597,500) (183,604) (2,545,125)
Proceeds from sale of investments 0 0 1,735,345
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
effects from acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net (509,801) (659,805) (978,663)
Inventories (23,958) 73,600 74,438
Prepaid rent, expenses, and other assets (192,297) (49,972) (346,265)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other
liabilities 1,372,896 (72,647) (420,808)
Interest payable 1,213,522 (436,242) 402,018
Other liabilities--long-term 0 0 (106,407)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 9,760,146 11,872,675 7,149,572
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property, plant, and equipment (10,187,221) (10,144,346) (7,645,961)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant, and equipment 457,172 485,088 184,416
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (9,730,049) (9,659,258) (7,461,545)
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Debt financing costs (2,126,661) (97,921) (11,703)
Advances from long-term debt 70,687,827 19,910,007 12,037,500
Payments on long-term debt (34,468,039) (22,216,257) (10,193,133)
Premium on senior notes redemption (194,125) (198,000) 0
Distributions to members (33,999,782) (1,045,000) (1,933,107)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing activities (100,780) (3,647,171) (100,443)
------------ ------------ ------------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (70,683) (1,433,754) (412,416)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 1,686,788 3,120,542 3,532,958
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR $ 1,616,105 $ 1,686,788 $ 3,120,542
============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated statements.
<PAGE>
AOA HOLDING LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998, AND 1997
1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
AOA Holding LLC ("AOA Holding" or the "Company") was incorporated on May
4, 1999 as a Minnesota limited liability company. AOA Holding was formed
to acquire the direct individual interests of Stephen Adams in Adams
Outdoor Advertising Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") and Adams
Outdoor Advertising Inc. ("Adams Inc.") and to serve as a co-issuer of $50
million of 10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2006 (the "Parent Senior Notes"). AOA
Holding's assets consist of 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Adams
Inc., and a .70% general partnership interest and a 68.3% limited
partnership interest in the Partnership. Mr. Adams is the sole member of
AOA Holding and all operations are conducted through the Partnership. AOA
Capital Corp. ("AOA Capital"), a wholly owned subsidiary of AOA Holding,
was incorporated on May 4, 1999 for the sole purpose of serving as
co-issuer of the Parent Senior Notes. The net proceeds from the offering
were used by AOA Holding to make a distribution to its sole member, to
repay $13.5 million of indebtedness of the Partnership, and to make a $2.5
million payment to the minority limited partner.
The Partnership was organized under the Minnesota Uniform Limited
Partnership Act on December 12, 1985 and will terminate on December 31,
2025 unless terminated sooner under the provisions of the partnership
agreement. The Partnership was organized for the purpose of acquiring and
operating businesses engaged in the outdoor advertising industry. The
Partnership owns and operates outdoor advertising structures in 11 markets
in the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic states.
The partnership agreement was amended and restated on March 31, 1995 to
convert and transfer 99% of the general partners' interest to the limited
partners' interests. The partnership agreement was amended and restated on
January 1, 1996 to, among other matters, eliminate classes of limited
partner interests resulting in general partners' interests of .71% and
limited partners' interests of 99.29%.
The partnership agreement provides that losses will be allocated 100% to
the general partners. Profits will be allocated to the general and limited
partners in the same proportion, based on their aggregate interest in the
Partnership, as they have received distributions of distributable cash
(defined as annual cash gross receipts, less cash expenses and any amount
set aside for reserves) for such calendar year. In the event there are
profits in a calendar year in which no distribution of distributable cash
has been made, profits will be allocated 100% to the general partners.
In the event of a sale, refinancing, or dissolution of the Partnership,
the proceeds available for distribution, after payment of all expenses and
previously outstanding debt of the Partnership, will be distributed first
to the partners up to an amount equal to the respective partner's adjusted
aggregate interest in the Partnership.
In connection with the reorganization, the partnership agreement was
amended to provide that the limited partnership interest of AOA Holding
LLC become a "priority" interest whereby all limited partner distributions
(other than permitted tax distributions) will be made only to AOA Holding
until the notes are paid in full. In recognition of the change in the
partnership agreement, the Partnership paid to the
<PAGE>
-2-
minority limited partners approximately $2.5 million, which has been
reflected as other expense in the accompanying statements of operations.
2. summary of significant accounting policies
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The financial statements include the financial statements of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances
and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments purchased
with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
INVESTMENTS
Investments consist primarily of corporate and U.S. government debt
instruments and equity securities. Securities are classified in one of
three categories: trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.
Management of the Company determines the appropriate classification of its
investments at the time of acquisition and reevaluates such determination
at each balance sheet date.
The Company has classified all securities purchased and held during 1999
and 1998 as trading securities, as they are intended to be sold in the
near term. Trading securities are carried at fair value, with realized and
unrealized gains and losses included in net income.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
using the first-in, first-out method. Market approximates net realizable
value.
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are as follows:
Buildings and equipment 5 to 32 years
Outdoor advertising structures 12 to 15 years
Vehicles, machinery and equipment, and office equipment 3 to 5 years
<PAGE>
-3-
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets include financing costs, noncompete agreements, and
goodwill. Goodwill is being amortized using the straight-line method over
periods of 12 to 40 years. The remaining intangible assets are recorded at
cost and are amortized using the straight-line method over the assets'
estimated useful lives of two to five years for noncompete agreements and
the terms of the related debt for financing costs. The Company
periodically assesses the recoverability of intangible assets based on
expected future cash flows.
INCOME TAXES
The Company is not considered a taxable entity for federal and state
income tax purposes. Any taxable income or loss, tax credits, and certain
other items are reported by the partners on their own tax returns in
accordance with the partnership agreement.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenues represent outdoor advertising services provided by the Company.
The Company recognizes revenue when rendered, usually on a monthly basis
in accordance with contract terms, as advertising services are provided.
BARTER TRANSACTIONS
Barter transactions, which represent the exchange of advertising for goods
or services, are recorded at the estimated fair value of the advertising
provided and the products or services received. Barter revenue is
recognized when advertising services are rendered, and barter expense is
recognized when the related products or services are received.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and
short-term investments, trade receivables, notes receivable, and accounts
payable. In management's opinion, the carrying amounts of these financial
instruments approximate their fair values at December 31, 1999 and 1998.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")
No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information." This statement establishes standards for the way enterprises
report information about operating segments in annual financial statements
and requires that enterprises report selected information about operating
segments in interim financial statements. Adams operates in a single
reportable segment in the outdoor advertising industry as defined by this
statement.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This
statement, which will be effective for the Company beginning January 1,
2001, establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that every
derivative instrument (including certain embedded in other contracts) be
recorded on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at
fair value. The statement requires that changes in the derivative's fair
value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting
criteria are met. The Company has not yet quantified the impact of
adopting SFAS No. 133 and has not determined the timing or method of its
adoption; however, it is not expected that adoption will have a material
impact on earnings.
<PAGE>
-4-
3. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Certain partners and employees of the general partner have ownership in
HSP Graphics ("HSP"), a printing operation headquartered in Canada. The
Company pays the salary and expenses of HSP employees, and HSP reimburses
the Company for these expenses in cash or services. At December 31, 1999
and 1998, the Company had accounts receivable of $21,870 and $114,
respectively, outstanding related to this arrangement with HSP. The
Company expensed $0, $11,000, and $84,000 for printing services provided
by HSP during 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively.
During 1998, the Company loaned $100,000 to an officer of the Company,
which was repaid during 1999. This amount was included in other accounts
receivable at December 31, 1998.
During 1998, the Company entered into a building lease with an officer of
the Company. The lease term is for ten years and has been classified as an
operating lease. Rent expense of approximately $37,000 and $52,000 related
to this transaction is included in direct advertising expense in 1999 and
1998, respectively. During 1999, the Company purchased this building from
the officer of the Company for $461,000.
During 1997, the Company entered an aircraft lease with a party related to
the Company. The lease term was for seven years and was classified as an
operating lease. At the beginning of 1999, the Company purchased an
aircraft and was released from the lease agreement. Lease and operating
expenses of approximately $549,000 and $466,000 related to this
transaction have been included in corporate general and administrative
expense during 1998 and 1997, respectively.
During 1999, the Company purchased outdoor advertising displays from two
related parties in Peoria for $100,000 in cash paid to each of the
parties.
4. INVESTMENTS
The carrying and estimated fair values of investment securities at
December 31, 1999 and 1998 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999
-----------------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross
Unrealized Unrealized Estimated
Holding Holding Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Trading securities:
Cash and money market funds $ 105,384 $ 0 $ 0 $ 105,384
Equity securities 2,401,554 730,979 (121,531) 3,011,002
Fixed income debt securities 51,046 561 (2,469) 49,138
---------- -------- --------- ----------
$2,557,984 $731,540 $(124,000) $3,165,524
========== ======== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
-5-
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999
-----------------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross
Unrealized Unrealized Estimated
Holding Holding Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Trading securities:
Cash and money market funds $1,127,721 $ 0 $ 0 $1,127,721
U.S. Treasury obligations 74,722 1,403 0 76,125
Equity securities 481,639 106,109 (6,592) 581,156
Fixed income debt securities 91,453 2,991 (469) 93,975
---------- -------- --------- ----------
$1,775,535 $110,503 $(7,061) $1,878,977
========== ======== ========= ==========
</TABLE>
5. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment consist of the following at December 31,
1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
-------------- --------------
Land $ 3,692,333 $ 2,398,489
Buildings and improvements 5,522,640 4,185,364
Outdoor advertising structures 104,600,078 100,950,797
Vehicles 3,947,917 3,436,538
Machinery and equipment 1,586,670 739,698
Office equipment 4,738,466 4,065,258
Construction in progress 1,446,410 1,459,417
-------------- --------------
125,534,514 117,235,561
Less accumulated depreciation (69,008,631) (63,885,413)
-------------- --------------
$ 56,525,883 $ 53,350,148
6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consist of the following at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
------------ ------------
Goodwill $ 7,582,597 $ 7,582,597
Noncompete agreements 2,325,500 2,425,500
Financing costs 7,399,887 5,170,270
------------ ------------
17,307,984 15,178,367
Less accumulated amortization (7,521,336) (6,070,456)
------------ ------------
$ 9,786,648 $ 9,107,911
============ ============
<PAGE>
-6-
7. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following at
December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
----------- -----------
Accrued insurance $ 376,677 $ 391,872
Accrued payroll 215,698 205,236
Other 2,768,905 1,986,501
----------- -----------
$3,361,280 $2,583,609
=========== ===========
8. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt at December 31, 1999 and 1998 consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
10 3.7% Senior Notes due June 1, 2006 $ 50,000,000 $ 0
10.75% senior notes due March 12, 2006 97,675,000 101,000,000
Revolving credit facilities due December 31, 2001 21,272,288 31,727,500
------------ ------------
$168,947,288 $132,727,500
============ ============
</TABLE>
On March 12, 1996, the Company completed a refinancing (the "Refinancing")
of its outstanding debt. Pursuant to the Refinancing, substantially all of
the Partnership's existing debt was repaid, $105 million of 10.75% senior
notes due 2006 (the "Senior Notes") were issued, and a credit agreement
(the "Credit Agreement") was executed which provided for a revolving
credit facility with total availability of $15 million. On December 2,
1996, the Credit Agreement was amended and restated to increase the
availability on the revolving credit facility from $15 million to $35
million for a fee of $387,500. On March 31, 1998, the Company entered into
an additional $3 million senior unsecured credit facility to increase the
line of credit to $38 million. In September 1998, proceeds from the senior
unsecured facility were used to purchase $4 million of the Company's
Senior Notes on the open market at 105% of principal plus accrued
interest. As a result of the redemption, the Company recognized an
extraordinary loss of $329,778, which represented the redemption premium
plus recognition of a proportionate share of the associated deferred
financing fees. In November 1998, the senior unsecured credit facility was
increased to $8 million. On June 30, 1999, the Company used proceeds from
the $50 million of 10 3/8% senior notes due 2006 (see Note 1) to purchase
$1.3 million of the Senior Notes on the open market for 105% of principal
plus accrued interest. On August 10, 1999, the Company purchased an
additional $2 million of the Senior Notes at 105% of principal plus
accrued interest. As a result of these redemptions, the Company recognized
an extraordinary loss of $194,125 which represents the redemption premium
plus recognition of a proportionate share of the associated deferred
financing fees.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at
the option of the Company, either (i) the base rate (which is defined as
the higher of the prime rate or the federal funds rate plus .5% or (ii)
LIBOR, in each case plus an applicable margin, as defined, determined by
reference to the ratio of total debt to cash flow of the Company. At
December 31, 1999 and 1998, the weighted-average interest rate was 9.1%
and 8.8%, respectively, on outstanding borrowings.
The obligations of the Partnership under the Credit Agreement are secured
primarily by a first priority pledge of the stock of Adams Outdoor
Advertising, Inc., the corporate general partner; a first priority
<PAGE>
-7-
pledge of the Partnership's interests; and a first priority lien on all
the assets of the Partnership, with the exception of certain real estate
assets which are subject to a negative pledge.
The Credit Agreement contains, among other things, covenants restricting
the ability of the Partnership to dispose of assets, make distributions to
its partners, create liens, make capital expenditures, make certain
investments or acquisitions, enter into transactions with affiliates, and
otherwise restrict certain activities. The Credit Agreement also contains
financial covenants related to minimum interest coverage, maximum leverage
ratio, and a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio. At December 31, 1999 and
1998, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.
The 10.75% senior notes due 2006 were issued under an indenture dated
March 12, 1996 (the "Indenture") among the Company and the trustee of the
notes. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company ranking
pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior
indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of payment to all existing
and future subordinated indebtedness of the Company that by its terms is
subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes are effectively
subordinated to all secured indebtedness of the Company to the extent of
the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.
The notes mature on March 15, 2006 and bear interest at an annual rate of
10.75% from the date of issuance until maturity. Interest is payable
semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 to holders of record
of the notes.
The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after March 15, 2001 at the following redemption
prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), together, in each
case, with accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, if redeemed
during the 12-month period beginning on March 15 of each year, as listed
below:
Year:
2001 105.375%
2002 103.583
2003 101.792
2004 and thereafter 100.000
Also, up to 25% of the notes are redeemable at the option of the Company
in the event of a public equity offering.
The Parent Senior Notes (see Note 1) are unsecured obligations of AOA
Holding and its 100% owned subsidiary, AOA Capital. The Parent Senior
Notes mature on June 1, 2006 and bear interest at 10 3/8%. Interest is
payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15, commencing
September 15, 1999.
The Parent Senior Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in
whole or in part after June 1, 2003 at the following redemption prices
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount), together, in each case,
with accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, as listed below:
Year:
2003 105.188%
2004 102.594
2005 and thereafter 100.000
Also, the Company may redeem the Parent Senior notes in whole but not in
part at any time during the nine-month period beginning on April 15, 2001
at 100% of the aggregate principal plus accrued and
<PAGE>
-8-
unpaid interest in the event of a concurrent redemption by the Partnership
of the outstanding Senior Notes.
These indentures contain, among other things, covenants restricting the
ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness, make certain
distributions, make certain investments, change the status of company
subsidiaries, create liens, enter into transactions with affiliates,
dispose of assets, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, make
payments for consents, enter into any additional lines of business, and
otherwise restrict certain activities.
At December 31, 1999, the fair value of the Company's long-term debt based
on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current
rates offered to the Company for debt of similar remaining maturities was
approximately $171.9 million.
Annual minimum maturities of long-term debt based on amounts outstanding
at December 31, 1999 are as follows:
2000 $ 0
2001 21,272,288
2002 0
2003 0
2004 0
Thereafter 147,675,000
------------
$168,947,288
============
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
The Company has a 401(k) deferred savings and profit-sharing plan.
Employees must be at least age 21 and must have completed one year of
service to participate in the plan. Employees may contribute up to 10% of
their salaries, and the Company matches employee contributions at the rate
of 50%, up to 6% of the employee's salary. The Company's contributions to
the plan were approximately $254,000, $240,000, and $188,000 in 1999,
1998, and 1997, respectively.
10. DEFERRED COMPENSATION BENEFITS
PHANTOM STOCK AGREEMENTS
The Company has deferred compensation benefits referred to as phantom
stock agreements with certain management personnel. The compensation is
calculated using a multiple of the operating profit of a division or the
Company for the year ending immediately prior to the determination date
over the base cost, which is the assigned value of the division or the
Company, at the date of the agreement's execution. The agreements provide
for three equal annual payments to the participants on the determination
date, which is defined as termination, death, disability, the sale of the
Company, or the fifth anniversary of the agreement's execution. The
Company incurred deferred compensation expense related to these agreements
of $2,261,909, $4,098,470, and $698,376 as of December 31, 1999, 1998, and
1997, respectively.
NONQUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company also maintains certain nonqualified retirement plans (the
"Plans") to provide deferred compensation benefits for certain members of
management. The Company has established trusts (the
<PAGE>
-9-
"Trusts") for contributions to provide sources of funds for liabilities
under the Plans. The Trusts are revocable and constitute unfunded
arrangements, as their assets are subject to the claims of the Company's
creditors in the event of insolvency, until such time as the obligations
have been paid to plan participants in accordance with the Plans. Earnings
of the trusts are allocated proportionately to participant accounts.
During the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the Company
recorded deferred compensation expense of $217,500, $217,501, and
$202,500, respectively, to these plans.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Company leases real estate to erect signs in commercial and industrial
areas along traffic routes in cities or close to populated urban areas.
The Partnership also leases certain vehicles used in its operations. These
leases have terms ranging from one to ten years.
Approximate future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating
leases with terms in excess of one year at December 31, 1999 are as
follows:
2000 $ 5,651,047
2001 3,993,157
2002 3,413,405
2003 2,703,578
2004 2,377,857
Thereafter 16,588,579
-----------
$34,727,623
===========
Rent expense incurred under operating leases aggregated approximately
$8,617,282, $7,315,000, and $7,735,000 for 1999, 1998, and 1997,
respectively.
ZONING REGULATIONS
In 1988, the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, adopted a comprehensive
sign ordinance prohibiting the construction of virtually all new,
off-premise outdoor advertising signs within the city limits and mandating
that all nonconforming signs either be brought into compliance or be
removed by February 1, 1998 at the owner's expense without payment of
compensation. Through March 1998, the Company had received a total of 307
notices of violation ("NOVs"). The Company does not anticipate receiving
any additional NOVs at this time. In 1998, the Company filed a lawsuit in
the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, challenging the
constitutionality of the Charlotte sign ordinance. In 1998, the case was
settled, and approximately 160 of the billboards in question must be
removed at the Company's expense by December 5, 2002. This will result in
a material adverse impact on the gross revenues and cash flow attributable
to the Charlotte market but, in the opinion of management, not on the
financial condition of the Company as a whole.
In other localities in which the Company operates, outdoor advertising is
subject to restrictive and, in some cases, prohibitive zoning regulations.
Management expects federal, state, and local regulations to continue to be
a significant factor in the operation of the Company's business.
LITIGATION
The Partnership is a party to a number of lawsuits and claims which it is
vigorously defending. Such matters arise out of the normal course of
business and relate to government regulations and other issues.
<PAGE>
-10-
Certain of these actions seek damages in significant amounts. While the
results of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, management
believes that based on the advice of partnership counsel, the final
outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the
financial statements of the Company.
CONCENTRATION OF RISKS
Approximately 2.9%, 10.3%, and 10.5% of the Company's net revenues for the
years ended December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively, were
attributable to the tobacco products industry. In November 1998, the major
U.S. tobacco companies (the "Tobacco Companies") reached an out-of-court
settlement (the "Agreement") with 46 states, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and four other U.S. territories (the
"Settling States"). The remaining four states had already reached similar
settlements with the Tobacco Companies. The Agreement called for the
removal of tobacco advertising from out-of-home media, including
billboards, along with signs and placards in arenas, stadiums, shopping
malls, and video game arcades by April 23, 1999. Additionally, the
Agreement provided that, at the Settling States' option, the Tobacco
Companies must, at their expense, substitute for tobacco advertising
alternative advertising which discourages youth smoking. That alternative
advertising must remain in place for the duration of the Tobacco
Companies' out-of-home media advertising contracts which existed as of the
date of the Agreement. Although the extent of the future impact on
operations is not known, the Company has been successful thus far in
replacing tobacco advertising in its markets.
12. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The following summarizes supplemental cash paid and noncash activities for
the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental disclosure of cash paid
during the year for interest $14,812,345 $14,367,555 $13,639,516
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On March 9, 2000, two indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the
Partnership together acquired all of the outstanding stock of HSP, a
company with which the Partnership has been doing business for a number of
years (Note 3). The aggregate purchase price was $16,575,045.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated Balance Sheet of AOA Holding LLC and Subsidiaries as of December
31, 1999 and the related Statements of Operations and Cash Flows an is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 1,616
<SECURITIES> 3,166
<RECEIVABLES> 10,230
<ALLOWANCES> (1,167)
<INVENTORY> 93
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 17,609
<PP&E> 125,535
<DEPRECIATION> (69,009)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 83,989
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 9,841
<BONDS> 168,947
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> (101,026)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 83,989
<SALES> 68,040
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 68,040
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 39,647
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 7,075
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 16,576
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,422
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,616
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (194)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,422
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
