Lamar Advertising Acquires Cleveland Outdoor Advertising Assets

The deal adds over 70 premium billboard faces to Lamar's Cleveland portfolio.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:07am

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Lamar Advertising has announced the acquisition of the assets of Cleveland Outdoor Advertising (COA) for cash. The transaction includes 31 high-profile bulletin billboard faces and more than 40 junior bulletin billboard faces, expanding Lamar's presence in the Cleveland metro area. COA was founded 47 years ago by Debra Abdalian-Thompson and Stephen Thompson and grew to become a prominent player in the local outdoor advertising market.

Why it matters

The acquisition strengthens Lamar's position as a leading outdoor advertising company in the Cleveland market, allowing it to offer advertisers a broader reach and more premium inventory. It also represents a successful exit for the founders of COA, who have been pioneers in the outdoor advertising industry.

The details

The deal adds 31 high-profile bulletin billboard faces and more than 40 junior bulletin billboard faces to Lamar's existing Cleveland portfolio. COA was founded in 1979 by Debra Abdalian-Thompson and Stephen Thompson as a junior poster plant, and over the decades grew to include numerous premium bulletin locations in the Cleveland metro area.

  • COA was founded in the summer of 1979.
  • Lamar Advertising announced the acquisition on February 3, 2026.

The players

Lamar Advertising

An American outdoor advertising company and one of the largest billboard operators in the United States.

Cleveland Outdoor Advertising (COA)

A 47-year-old outdoor advertising company founded in Cleveland, Ohio that grew to include numerous premium billboard locations in the metro area.

Debra Abdalian-Thompson

The co-founder of Cleveland Outdoor Advertising, who has been a pioneer in the outdoor advertising industry.

Stephen Thompson

The co-founder of Cleveland Outdoor Advertising, who has been a pioneer in the outdoor advertising industry.

Ross Reilly

The president of Lamar's outdoor division.

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What they’re saying

“Debbie has been a pioneer in the OOH industry, and we are honored that she and Steve trust Lamar to build upon the strong foundation that they have established.”

— Ross Reilly, President of Lamar's outdoor division (Yahoo Finance)

What’s next

Lamar Advertising plans to integrate the newly acquired COA assets into its existing Cleveland operations, providing advertisers with expanded reach and premium billboard inventory in the market.

The takeaway

The acquisition of Cleveland Outdoor Advertising's assets strengthens Lamar's position as a leading outdoor advertising company in the Cleveland area, allowing it to offer advertisers more premium inventory and broader coverage. It also represents a successful exit for the long-time founders of COA, who have been pioneers in the industry.