Q2 2024 Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc Earnings Call

Speaker Change: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings 2024 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call.

Operator: 2024 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I'll now turn the conference over to your host, Eileen McLaughlin, Vice President, Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Unknown Executive: At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode.

Unknown Executive: A brief question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.

Eileen McLaughlin: I'll now turn the conference over to your host, Eileen McLaughlin, Vice President and Vester Relations. Please show ahead.

Speaker Change: As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I'll now turn the conference over to your host, Eileen McLaughlin, Vice President, Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Eileen McLaughlin: Good morning, and thank you for joining our call. On the call today are Scott Wells, our CEO, and David Staler, our CFO. They will provide an overview of the 2024 second quarter operating performance of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., and Clear Channel International BV. We recommend you download the 2024 second quarter earnings presentation located in the financial information section of our investor website and review the presentation during this call. After an introduction and a review of our results, we'll open the line for questions, and Justin Cochrane, CEO of Clear Channel UK and Europe, will join Scott and Dave during the Q&A portion of the call.

Eileen McLaughlin: Good morning, and thank you for joining our call. On the call today are Scott Wells, our CEO, and David Sailer, our CFO. They will provide an overview of the 2024 second quarter operating performance of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. and Clear Channel International BV. We recommend you download the 2024 second quarter earnings presentation, located in the financial information section of our investor website, and review the presentation during this call. After an introduction and a review of our results, we'll open the line for questions, and Justin Cochrane, CEO of Clear Channel UK and Europe, will join Scott and Dave during the Q&A portion of the call.

Speaker Change: We recommend you download the 2024 second quarter earnings presentation located in the financial information section of our investor website and review the presentation during this call.

Speaker Change: After an introduction and a review of our results,

Speaker Change: We'll open the line for questions, and Justin Cochrane, CEO of Clear Channel UK and Europe , will join Scott and Dave during the Q&A portion of the call. Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that during this call, we may make

Eileen McLaughlin: Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that during this call, we may make forward-looking statements regarding the company, including statements about its future financial performance and its strategic goals. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved or that actual results will not differ from expectations. Please review the statements of risk contained in our earnings press release and our filings with the SEC.

Eileen McLaughlin: Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that during this call, we may make forward-looking statements regarding the company, including statements about its future financial performance and its strategic goals. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs, or projections will be achieved, or that actual results will not differ from expectation. Please review the statements of risks contained in our earnings press release and our filings with the SEC. During today's call, you will also refer to certain measures that do not conform to generally accepted accounting principles. We provide schedules that reconcile these non-GAAP measures with our reporter results on a GAAP basis as part of the earnings presentation.

Speaker Change: Forward-looking statements regarding the company, including statements about its future financial performance and its strategic goals.

Speaker Change: Please review the statements of risk contained in our earnings press release and our filings with the SEC.

Eileen McLaughlin: During today's call, we will also refer to certain measures that do not conform to generally accepted accounting principles. We provide schedules that reconcile these non-GAAP measures with our reported results on a GAAP basis as part of the earnings presentation. Also, please note that the information provided on this call speaks only to management views as of today, August 7, 2024, and may no longer be accurate at the time of a replay. Please see slide four in the earnings presentation, and I will now turn the call over to Scott.

Speaker Change: During today's call, we will also refer to certain measures that do not conform to generally accepted accounting principles. We provide schedules that reconcile these non-GAAP measures with our reported results on a GAAP basis as part of the earnings presentation.

Eileen McLaughlin: Also, please note that the information provided on this call speaks only to management's views as of today, August 7th, 2024, and they may no longer be accurate at the time of a replay.

Speaker Change: Also, please note that the information provided on this call speaks only to management views as of today, August 7, 2024, and may no longer be accurate at the time of a replay.

Eileen McLaughlin: Please see slide four in the earnings presentation, and I will now turn the call over to Scott.

Speaker Change: Please see slide four in the earnings presentation, and I will now turn the call over to Scott.

Scott Wells: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for taking the time to join us today. We delivered second quarter consolidated revenue of $559 million, an increase of 5.2% or 5.4% excluding movements and foreign exchange rates, with growth in our Americas, airports, and Europe North segments. Our performance reflects healthy demand from advertisers across the majority of our markets, with notable strength in our airports and Europe North segments. We have also benefited from solid execution across the range of ongoing initiatives aimed at broadening our revenue base.

Scott Wells: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for taking the time to join us today. We delivered second quarter consolidated revenue of $559 million, an increase of 5.2 percent, or 5.4 percent, excluding movements in foreign exchange rates, with growth in our America, Airports, and Europe North segments. Our performance reflects healthy demand from advertisers across the majority of our markets, with notable strength in our airports and Europe North segments. We also benefited from solid execution across the range of ongoing initiatives aimed at broadening our revenue base.

Scott: We also benefited from solid execution across the range of ongoing initiatives aimed at broadening our revenue base.

Scott Wells: Following record first quarter revenue in the America segment, our second quarter results came in at the low end of our guidance due to softness in the national marketplace, particularly in the medical services and media entertainment verticals. In the current quarter, we are seeing improving business trends, including in national, and remain on track to achieve our full year guide. We mentioned in our Q1 call that results this year might be lumpy and waited to the second half, and that is how the business is developing. This revenue from our digital and programmatic initiatives, we're also continuing to attract business through our website and expanded sales team, as well as through our direct outreach.

Scott Wells: Following record first-quarter revenue in the America segment, our second quarter results came in at the low end of our guidance due to softness in the national marketplace, particularly in the medical services and media entertainment vertical.

Scott Wells: In the current quarter, we are seeing improving business trends, including in national, and remain on track to achieve our full-year guidance. We mentioned in our Q1 call that results this year might be lumpy and weighted to the second half, and that is how the business is developing. We believe advertisers are increasingly recognizing the value of our digital billboard platform, now reaching over 70% of U.S. adults monthly in our served markets, as well as our data and analytics capabilities, which enable us to target particular audiences and effectively measure advertisers' campaigns.

Scott Wells: In addition to generating increased revenue from our digital and programmatic initiatives, we're also continuing to attract business through our website and expanded sales team, as well as through our direct outreach. Direct business has been instrumental in building relationships with brands across all channels. All of these efforts have the impact of effectively scaling our platform and expanding our revenue sources while offsetting some of the industry-wide softness in Nashville. Meanwhile, our airport's business remains strong. 2024 has been a historic period for travel, marked by nine of the 10 busiest days in TSA history, with air travel hitting a record in July.

Scott Wells: The direct business has been instrumental in building relationships with brands across all channels. All of these efforts have the impact of effectively scaling our platform and expanding our revenue sources, while offsetting some of the industry-wide softness and national.

Scott: All of these efforts have the impact of effectively scaling our platform and expanding our revenue sources, while offsetting some of the industry-wide softness in National.

Scott Wells: Our airport's business remains strong. 2024 has been a historic period for travel marked by nine of the 10 busiest days in TSA history, with air travel hitting a record in July. The surgeon travel is expected to continue through the remainder of the year and into 2025, putting us in a strong position to continue to leverage our premium assets to drive ad dollars. Europe North delivered another great performance with healthy growth continuing in the current quarter, led by the strength in Sweden and the UK.

Scott: Our airports business remains strong.

Scott: 2024 has been a historic period for travel, marked by nine of the ten busiest days in TSA history, with air travel hitting a record in July .

Scott Wells: The surge in travel is expected to continue through the remainder of the year and into 2025, putting us in a strong position to continue to leverage our premium assets to drive ad dollars. Europe North delivered another great performance, with healthy growth continuing in the current quarter, led by strength in Sweden and the UK. Turning to our outlook, Dave will expand on the details later, but I want to highlight that we have modestly increased our full-year consolidated revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and AFFO guidance, given the strength of airports in Europe North. On the M&A front, negotiations for the sale of Euronorth remain ongoing.

Scott: The surge in travel is expected to continue through the remainder of the year and into 2025, putting us in a strong position to continue to leverage our premium assets to drive ad dollars.

Speaker Change: Europe North delivered another great performance with healthy growth continuing in the current quarter led by the strength in Sweden and the UK.

Scott Wells: Turning to our outlook, Dave will expand on the details later, but I want to highlight that we have modestly increased our full year consolidated revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and AFFO guidance, given the strength and airports in Europe North. On the M&A front, negotiations for the sale of Europe North remain ongoing. The team is performing very well, executing the focus strategy we laid out several quarters ago, creating optionality and de-risking the business. For instance, their training 12 months operating leverage has been outstanding, with segment adjusted EBITDA growth of 21% on revenue growth of 9% versus the prior period, excluding movements in foreign exchange rates.

Speaker Change: Turning to our outlook, Dave will expand on the details later, but I want to highlight that we have modestly increased our full-year consolidated revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and AFFO guidance, given the strength in airports in Europe North.

Scott Wells: The team is performing very well, executing the focus strategy we laid out several quarters ago, creating optionality and de-risking the business. For instance, their trailing 12-month operating leverage has been outstanding, with segment-adjusted EBITDA growth of 21% on revenue growth of 9% versus the prior period, excluding movements in foreign exchange. We remain committed to exiting Europe at a price that reflects the value being delivered by this business, based on the continuing improvement of these assets.

Scott Wells: We remain committed to exiting Europe at a price that reflects the value being delivered by this business, based on the continuing improvement of these assets. In the meantime, the funds we generate from our European businesses can be used to continue strengthening our cash position and further enhancing our European profit, profit edge.

Speaker Change: We remain committed to exiting Europe at a price that reflects the value being delivered by this business, based on the continuing improvement of these assets.

Scott Wells: In the meantime, the funds we generate from our European businesses can be used to continue strengthening our cash position and further enhance our European profit edge. Separately, in our LATAM sale process, we are making good progress and will provide further updates in due course. Finally, it's important to note that even before we complete these asset sales, we believe we are turning the corner on cash generation. We expect AFFO in the second half of 2024 to outpace our discretionary CapEx for the same period and expect this to improve in 2025.

Speaker Change: In the meantime, the funds we generate from our European businesses can be used to continue strengthening our cash position and further enhancing our European profit engine.

Scott Wells: Separately, in our last hand sale process, we are making good progress and will provide further updates in due course. Finally, it's important to note that even before we complete these asset sales, we believe we are turning the corner on cash generation. We expect AFFO in the second half of 2024 to outpace our discretionary capex for the same period and expect this to improve in 2025. This creates an option to start to organically deliver our balance sheet.

Scott Wells: This creates an option to start to organically delever our balance sheet, and we believe this is a significant milestone in our journey to enhance shareholder value. So overall, we're pleased with the ongoing progress our team is making in executing on multiple initiatives to monetize our technology and broaden our revenue streams. And we're encouraged by the momentum we're seeing in our business. With that, I'll hand the call over to Dave.

Scott Wells: We believe this is a significant milestone in our journey to enhance shareholder value. So overall, we're pleased with the ongoing progress our team is making in executing on multiple initiatives to monetize our technology and broaden our revenue streams. And we're encouraged with the momentum we're seeing in our business.

Speaker Change: So overall, we're pleased with the ongoing progress our team is making in executing on multiple initiatives to monetize our technology and broaden our revenue streams. And we're encouraged with the momentum we're seeing in our business.

David Sailer: With that, let me hand the call over to Dave. Thanks, Scott. Please see slide five for an overview of our results. As a reminder, Europe's south is included in discontinued operations. Additionally, during our discussion of gap results, I'll also talk about our results excluding movements in foreign exchange rates, a non-GAAP measure. We believe this provides greater comparability when evaluating our performance. Direct operating expenses and SGNA expenses include restructuring in other costs that are excluded from adjusted evida and segment adjusted evida. And the amounts I refer to are for the second quarter of 2024, and the percent changes are second quarter 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023, unless otherwise noted.

Scott Wells: Scott, please see slide five for an overview of our results. As a reminder, yourself is included in the discontinued operation.

Speaker Change: With that, let me hand the call over to Dave.

Dave: As a reminder, Europe South is included in discontinued operations.

David Sailer: Additionally, during our discussion of GAAP results, I'll also talk about our results excluding movements in foreign exchange rates, a non-GAAP measure. We believe this provides greater comparability when evaluating our performance. Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses include restructuring and other costs that are excluded from adjusted EBITDA and segment adjusted EBITDA. And the amounts I referred to are for the second quarter of 2024, and the percent changes are for the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023, unless otherwise noted. Now on to the second quarter reported results.

Dave: Additionally, during our discussion of GAAP results, I'll also talk about our results excluding movements in foreign exchange rates, a non-GAAP measure. We believe this provides greater comparability when evaluating our performance.

Dave: Direct operating expenses and SG&A expenses include restructuring and other costs that are excluded from adjusted EBITDA and segment adjusted EBITDA.

Dave: And the amounts I referred to are for the second quarter of 2024, and the percent changes are second quarter 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023, unless otherwise noted.

David Sailer: Now on to the second quarter reported results. Consolidated revenue for the quarter was 559 million, a 5.2% increase. Excluding movements in foreign exchange rates, consolidated revenue was up 5.4%. Loss from continuing operations was 48 million, higher than the prior year due to impairment charges related to the company's Latin America businesses. Consolidated net loss, which includes the income from discontinued operations, was $39 million. Adjusted evida and adjusted evida, excluding movements in foreign exchange rates, was 143 million roughly flat with the prior year. AFFO was 25 million in the second quarter, a 12.2% decline from the prior year.

David Sailer: Consolidated revenue for the quarter was $559 million, a 5.2% increase from the previous quarter. Excluding movements and foreign exchange rates, consolidated revenue was up 5.4%. Loss from continuing operations was $48 million, higher than the prior year due to impairment charges related to the company's Latin America business. Consolidated net loss, which includes the income from discontinued operations, was $39 million.

Dave: Now on to the second quarter reported results.

Dave: Consolidated revenue for the quarter was $559 million, a 5.2% increase.

Dave: Loss from continuing operations was $48 million, higher than the prior year due to impairment charges related to the company's Latin America businesses.

Dave: Consolidated net loss, which includes the income from discontinued operations, was $39 million.

David Sailer: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Excluded Movements in Foreign Exchange Rates were $143 million, roughly flat with the prior year. AFFO was $25 million in the second quarter, a 12.2% decline from the prior year. National sales, which accounted for 35% of America revenue, were down 3.3% on a comparable basis, and higher credit loss expense related to specific reserves for certain customers.

Dave: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Excluded Movements in Foreign Exchange Rates was $143 million, roughly flat with the prior year.

David Sailer: Excluding movements in foreign exchange rates, AFFO was down 12.3%.

Dave: Excluding movements and foreign exchange rates, AFFO was down 12.3%.

David Sailer: Antified six for the America segment, second quarter results. America revenue was 290 million, up 0.9%, reflecting increased revenue in most markets, most notably Miami, driven by increased demand and digital deployments. Digital revenue, which accounted for 35.3% of America revenue, was up 4.1% to 102 million. National sales, which accounted for 35% of America revenue, were down 3.3% on a comparable basis. Local sales accounted for 65% of America revenue, and were up 3.4% on a comparable basis. Direct operating and SGNA expenses were up 3.4% to 163 million due to higher compensation costs related to our expanded sales team, pay increases in higher variable incentive compensation, and higher credit loss expense related to specific reserves for certain customers.

Dave: Digital revenue, which accounted for 35.3% of America's revenue, was up 4.1% to $102 million.

Dave: Local sales accounted for 65% of America revenue and were up 3.4% on a comparable basis.

Dave: Direct operating and SG&A expenses were up 3.4% to $163 million due to higher compensation costs related to our expanded sales team, pay increases, and higher variable incentive compensation.

David Sailer: Segment adjusted EBITDA was 127 million, down 2%, with a segment adjusted EBITDA margin of 43.8%, down from the prior year.

David Sailer: Placyside 7 for a review of the second quarter results for airports. Airports revenue was 86 million, up 21.4% with strong demand across portfolio led by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey airports, and the San Francisco International Airport, which grows largely attributable to new advertising customers. Digital revenue, which accounted for 56% of airports revenue, was up 14.6% to 48 million. National Cells, which accounted for 57.7% of airports' revenue, were up 12% on a comparable basis. Local Cells accounted for 42.3% of airports' revenue, and were up 37% on a comparable basis. Direct operating and S-GNA expenses were up 22.7% to 67 million.

Dave: Digital revenue, which accounted for 56% of the airport's revenue, was up 14.6% to $48 million.

Dave: National sales, which accounted for 57.7% of airports revenue, were up 12% on a comparable basis.

David Sailer: Direct operating and SG&A expenses were up 22.7% to $67 million. The increase is primarily due to a 23.4% increase in site lease expense to $53 million, driven by higher revenue and a lower rent base. My commentary on Europe North is on results that have been adjusted to exclude movements and foreign exchange.

Speaker Change: Direct operating and SG&A expenses were up 22.7% to $67 million. The increase is primarily due to a 23.4% increase in site lease expense to $53 million, driven by higher revenue and lower rent payments.

David Sailer: The increase is primarily due to a 23.4% increase in site lease expense to 53 million, driven by higher revenue and lower rent and payments. Segment adjusted EBITO was 19 million, up 16.8% with a segment adjusted EBITO margin of 22.1%. The slight decline in segment adjusted EBITO margin is driven by a decline in rent and payments.

Speaker Change: Segment-adjusted EBITDA was $19 million, up 16.8%, with a segment-adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.1%. The slight decline in segment-adjusted EBITDA margin is driven by a decline in rent abatements.

David Sailer: On to slide 8 for a review of our performance in Europe North. My commentary on Europe North is on results that have been adjusted to exclude movements in foreign exchange rates. Europe North revenue increased 10.1% to 165 million due to higher revenue in most countries, most notably Sweden and the UK, due to increased demand and digital deployments, partially offset by the loss of a transit contract in Norway. Digital accounting for 56.8% of Europe North's total revenue and was up 17.9% to 94 million. Europe North direct operating and S-GNA expenses were up 6.7% to 132 million due to higher property taxes and rental costs for additional digital displays, higher compensation costs, driven by pay increases and variable incentive compensation, and an increase in site lease expense.

Speaker Change: On to slide 8, for a review of our performance in Europe North. My commentary on Europe North is on results that have been adjusted to exclude movements and foreign exchange rates.

Speaker Change: Europe North revenue increased 10.1% to $165 million due to higher revenue in most countries, most notably Sweden and the UK, due to increased demand and digital deployments.

Speaker Change: partially offset by the loss of a transit contract in Norway.

David Sailer: Digital accounted for 56.8% of Europe North's total revenue and was up 17.9% to $94 million. The Europe North segment adjusted EBITDA was up 24.7% to $33 million, and the segment adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.8%, an improvement over the prior year. Now moving to slide 10 and a review of our capital expenditures. CapEx totaled $23 million in the second quarter, a decrease of $8 million over the prior year, primarily due to the timing of capital expenditures in America.

Speaker Change: Digital accounted for 56.8% of Europe North's total revenue and was up 17.9% to $94 million.

David Sailer: Europe North's segment adjusted EBITO was up 24.7% to 33 million, and the segment adjusted EBITO margin was 19.8%, an improvement over the prior year.

Speaker Change: Europe North's segment-adjusted EBITDA was up 24.7% to $33 million, and the segment-adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.8%, an improvement over the prior year.

David Sailer: Moving on to CTI-BV on slide 9. Clear Channel International BV, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the company, and the borrower under the CCI-BV term loan facility, includes the operations of our Europe North and Europe South segments, as well as Singapore, which is included in Other. Financial results of Singapore have historically been immaterial to the results of CCI-BV, and revenue and expenses for the Singapore business were further reduced in the first quarter of 2024 due to the loss of a contract. As the current and former businesses in Europe, South, segment, or considered discontinued operations, results of these businesses are reported as a separate component of consolidated net income in the CCI-BV consolidated statement of income from all periods presented and are excluded from the discussion below.

Speaker Change: Moving on to CCI BV on slide 9.

Speaker Change: Clear Channel International BV, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the company, and the borrower under the CCI BV term loan facility, includes the operations of our Europe North and Europe South segments, as well as Singapore, which is included in Other.

Speaker Change: As the current and former businesses in the Europe-South segment are considered discontinued operations

Speaker Change: Results of these businesses are reported as a separate component of consolidated net income in the CCI BV Consolidated Statement of Income for all periods presented and are excluded from the discussion below.

David Sailer: CCI-BV results from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period of 2023 are as follows. CCI-BV revenue increased 6.4% to 165 million from 155 million. Excluding the impact of movement and effects, CCI-BV revenue increased 6.6%. Higher revenue from our Europe North segment, as I just mentioned, was partially offset by the loss of a contract. in Singapore. CCIBV operating income was $10 million compared to the $3 million in the same period of 2023.

Speaker Change: CCI-BV operating income was $10 million compared to the $3 million in the same period of 2023.

David Sailer: Now moving to slide 10 and review of our capital expenditures. CapEx totaled $23 million in the second quarter, a decrease of $8 million over the prior year, primarily due to the timing of CapEx spend in America.

Speaker Change: Now moving to slide 10 and a review of our capital expenditures.

Speaker Change: CapEx totaled $23 million in the second quarter, a decrease of $8 million over the prior year, primarily due to the timing of CapEx spend in America.

David Sailer: Now on to slide 11. During the second quarter, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $4 million to $189 million. Cash paid for interest during the second quarter decreased $39 million compared to the same period in the prior year, due to timing of interest payments in connection with the debt refinancing transactions that occurred in August 2023 and March 2024. Our liquidity was $404 million as of June 30, 2024, up $15 million compared to liquidity at the end of the first quarter due to an increase in excess availability under the receivable-based credit facility driven by increased receivables.

Speaker Change: Now on to slide 11.

Speaker Change: During the second quarter, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $4 million to $189 million.

Speaker Change: Cash paid for interest during the second quarter decreased $39 million compared to the same period in the prior year due to timing of interest payments in connection with the debt refinancing transactions that occurred in August 2023 and March 2024.

David Sailer: Our liquidity was $404 million as of June 30, 2024, up $15 million compared to liquidity at the end of the first quarter due to an increase in excess availability under the receivable-based credit facility driven by increased receivables. Our debt was $5.7 billion as of June 30, 2024. Our weighted average cost of debt was 7.4%, in line with the first quarter. The credit agreement covenant threshold is 7.1.

David Sailer: Our debt was $5.7 billion as of June 30, 2024. Our weighted average cost of debt was 7.4%, in line with the first quarter. As of June 30, 2024, our first leverage ratio was $5.39 times; the credit agreement covenant threshold was $7.1.

Speaker Change: Our debt was $5.7 billion as of June 30, 2024. Our weighted average cost of debt was 7.4% in line with the first quarter. As of June 30, 2024, our first lien leverage ratio was 5.39 times.

David Sailer: Now on to slide 12 in our guidance for the third quarter and the full year 2024. All consolidated guidance and Europe North guidance excludes movements in foreign exchange rates, with the exception of capital expenditures and cash interest payments. For the third quarter, we believe our consolidated revenue will be between 542 and 567 million, representing a 3 to 8% increase over the third quarter of 2023. We expect America revenue to be between 287 and 297 million, and Airports revenue is expected to be between 79 and 84 million. Europe North revenue is expected to be between 157 and 167 million, moving on to our full year guidance.

David Sailer: For the third quarter, we believe our consolidated revenue will be between $542 million and $567 million, representing a 3% to 8% increase over the third quarter of 2023. We expect America revenue to be between $287 and $297 million, and airport revenue is expected to be between $79 and $84 million. Your North America revenue is expected to be between $157 and $167 million. Moving on to our full year guide.

Speaker Change: For the third quarter, we believe our consolidated revenue will be between $542 million and $567 million, representing a 3 to 8 percent increase over the third quarter of 2023.

Speaker Change: We expect America revenue to be between $287 and $297 million, and airports revenue is expected to be between $79 and $84 million.

Speaker Change: North revenue is expected to be between $157 and $167 million.

David Sailer: As Scott mentioned, we are modestly increasing the full-year guidance. We provided in May for consolidated revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and AFFO. We expect consolidated revenue to be between 2.215 and 2.275 billion, representing a 4% to 7% increase over 2023. America revenue is expected to be between 1.135 and 1.165 billion. Airports revenue is expected to be between 350 and 365 million. Europe North revenue is expected to be between 653 and 668 million. On a consolidated basis, we expect adjusted EBITDA to be between 560 and 590 million. AFFO guidance is 90 to 110 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of 130 and 150 million, with a continued focus on investing in our digital footprint in the US.

Speaker Change: Moving on to our full year guidance.

Speaker Change: As Scott mentioned, we are modestly increasing the full year guidance we provided in May for Consolidated Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and AFFL.

David Sailer: We expect consolidated revenue to be between $2.215 billion and $2.275 billion, representing a 4% to 7% increase over 2023. Europe North revenue is expected to be between $653 and $668 million. On a consolidated basis, we expect Adjusted EBITDA to be between $560 and $590 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $130 and $150 million, with a continued focus on investing in our digital footprint in the U.S.

Scott: We expect consolidated revenue to be between $2.215 and $2.275 billion, representing a 4% to 7% increase over 2023.

Scott: Airport's revenue is expected to be between $350 million and $365 million.

Scott: Europe North revenue is expected to be between $653 million and $668 million.

Scott: On a consolidated basis, we expect Adjusted EBITDA to be between $560 and $590 million.

Scott: Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $130 and $150 million with a continued focus on investing in our digital footprint in the U.S.

Scott Wells: Thanks, Dave. To recap, business trends remain positive across our portfolio, and our team continues to execute well on our plan, setting us up to increase our guidance and deliver growth for the year. In addition to benefiting from the overall growth of the economy, we're increasingly seeing the benefits from our investments in digital, programmatic, and data analytics, as well as our sales team's direct business and new website. We believe these efforts are enabling us to expand the range of advertisers we can serve, which is increasing utilization of our platform and strengthening our ability to maximize revenue.

Scott: Thanks Dave. To recap, business trends remain positive across our portfolio and our team continues to execute well on our plan, setting us up to increase our guidance and deliver growth for the year.

Operator: In addition to benefiting from the overall growth of the economy, we're increasingly seeing the benefits from our investments in digital, programmatic, and data analytics, as well as our sales teams, direct business, and new websites. At the same time, we remain committed to simplifying our organization with a focus on our Americas and Airports segments, as we continue the Europe North and Latin American sales process. We believe this will enhance our ability to improve cash generation and reduce debt over the next few years.

Speaker Change: We believe these efforts are enabling us to expand the range of advertisers we can serve, which is increasing utilization of our platform and strengthening our ability to maximize revenue.

Scott Wells: At the same time, we remain committed to simplifying our organization with a focus on our America and Airport segments as we continue the Europe North and Latin American sales processes. We believe this will enhance our ability to improve cash generation and reduce debt over the next few years.

Speaker Change: At the same time, we remain committed to simplifying our organization with a focus on our America and airport segments.

Speaker Change: We believe this will enhance our ability to improve cash generation and reduce debt over the next few years. And now let me turn the call over to the operator, and Justin Cochrane will join us on the call.

Scott Wells: And now let me turn the call over to the operator, and Justin Cochran will join us on the call. Thank you.

Unknown Executive: We'll now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask your question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you'd like to remove your questions from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we pull for questions. Thank you.

The operator: If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad.

Unknown Executive: One moment, please, while we poll for questions.

Cameron McVeigh: Our first question is from Cameron McVeigh with Morgan Stanley. Please proceed with your question.

Unknown Executive: Good morning. Thank you. Maybe if you could just provide any more color on the national versus local ad trends in the U.S. market, maybe any verticals that are driving strength or weakness in either one, and then, you know, the trends you've seen there into the third quarter. And then, secondly, just how would you suggest we think about AFFO growth beyond 2024?

Cameron McVeigh: Good morning. Thank you.

Cameron McVeigh: Maybe if you could just provide any more color on the national versus local ad trends in the US market, maybe any verticals that are driving strength or weakness at either one. And then the trends you've seen there into the third quarter.

Justin Cochrane: Good morning. Thank you. Maybe if you could just provide any more color on the national versus local ad trends in the US market, maybe any verticals that are driving strength or weakness.

Speaker Change: at either one. And then, yeah, the trends you've seen there into the third quarter. And then secondly, just how would you suggest we think about AFFO growth beyond 2024? Thanks.

Cameron McVeigh: And then secondly, how would you suggest we think about AFFO growth beyond 2024? Thanks.

Scott Wells: Great. Thanks, Cameron.

Scott Wells: I'm going to take the first half of the question, and I'll ask Dave to take the second half. You know, it is kind of a tale of two marketplaces, and it's even, as you see in our results, different in airports versus roadside in terms of national versus local markets. So I think a national what I would emphasize is that it is very competitive and advertisers have a lot of choices. And so it is really, really critical for you to be showing up with the best solution that is addressing whatever it is they're trying to accomplish.

Scott Wells: You know, it is, it is kind of a tale of two marketplaces. And, even as you see in our results, it's different in airports versus roadside in terms of national versus local markets. So I think on national, what I would emphasize is that it is very competitive, and advertisers have a lot of choice. Man, as you notice, we increased our

Scott Wells: It's one of the reasons why we're emphasizing vertical markets more and bringing an expertise to address vertical markets more because you kind of need that knowledge and understanding of the underlying business to be effective in the emerging national market. You can't just count on RFPs flowing through agencies. So I think that the competition is how I characterize the national space. And you see, you know, our results in airports where we have a stronger differentiated offering are stronger than the results that we're achieving on roadside at this point.

Scott Wells: I don't think that that is a persistent or given in any way, shape, or form. I think it is something that we need to do the work to demonstrate and evolve.

Speaker Change: are stronger than the results that we're achieving on roadside at this point. I don't think that that is a persistent or given in any way, shape, or form. I think it is something that we need to do the work to demonstrate and evolve, and so we're focused on that.

Scott Wells: And so we're focused on. And local, it's a lot of different things that go on at the local market, and it is very different within the context of individual local markets, how they're playing out, whether there's competition going on among quick serve restaurants versus casual dining restaurants, or there's competition going on among legal providers in that market, or there's competition among roofers. The key in the local market is being abreast of what is important in that local market and making sure that you have an adequate base of salespeople covering the field, which we have been very focused on, and I think have been doing quite well on.

Speaker Change: among legal providers in that market or there's competition among roofers.

Speaker Change: The key in the local market is being abreast of what is important in that local market and making sure that you have an adequate base of sales people.

Speaker Change: covering the field, which we have been very focused on and I think have been doing quite well on.

Scott Wells: And I think I'd characterize the spending in both; the money is there, we've got to figure out how to go get it. It's not a question of the ad market not having the money to fess up what we need to get to accomplish our goals. It's a question of us making it happen.

Speaker Change: I'd characterize the spending in both. The money is there. We've got to figure out how to go get it.

David Sailer: So that's where I'll characterize the national and local markets, and I'll hand AFFO today. Sure, thanks, Scott. As you as you notice, we increased our guide from a revenue and from a consolidated EBITDA standpoint. So, as we grow EBITDA, that is going to fall through to the bottom line. And when I'm thinking about the second half from an AFFO standpoint, we have mentioned in our script. I think we are turning the point corner from like a cash flow, like from a generation standpoint, because when you look at AFFO, not so that includes meeting catbacks, but we're going to employ in the second half where we'll be able to cover our growth catbacks.

Speaker Change: making it happen. So that's where I'll characterize the national and local markets, and I'll hand AFFO to Dave. Sure. Thanks, Scott.

David Sailer: As you noticed, we increased our guide from a revenue and from a consolidated EBITDA standpoint. So as we grow EBITDA, that is going to fall through to the bottom line. And when I'm thinking about the second half from an AFFO standpoint, we had mentioned in our script, I think we are turning the corner from like a cash flow, like from a generation standpoint, because when you look at AFFO, obviously that includes MATE and CAPEX, but we're going to employ it in the second half where we'll be able to cover our growth CAPEX if you kind of just take a look at it, if you look at AFFO and you include that growth CAPEX.

Dave: And when I'm thinking about the second half from an AFFO standpoint,

Dave: So we're getting to a point in the second half where we'll be able to cover our growth capex if you kind of just take a look at it, if you look at AFFO and you include that growth capex.

David Sailer: If you kind of just take a look at it, if you look at AFFO and you include that growth catback, so you know, I feel very good about kind of where we are and, you know, looking forward on the growth of AFFO. And it will be positive in the second half. And as we grow the business and, you know, as, you know, from the top line, you know, that's going to flow right down through to AFFO growth.

David Sailer: So, you know, I feel very good about kind of where we are and, you know, looking forward to the growth of AFFO, and it will be positive in the second half. And as we grow the business, and, you know, as, you know, from a top line, that's going to flow right down through to AFFO growth.

Dave: You know, I feel very good about kind of where we are and, you know, looking forward on the growth of AFFO and it will be positive in the second half. And as we grow the business and, you know, as, you know, from a top line, you know, that's going to flow right down through to AFFO growth.

Cameron McVeigh: Good, helpful.

Cameron McVeigh: Thank you. Thanks, Cameron.

Speaker Change: Great. Helpful. Thank you.

Daniel Osley: Thank you. Our next question is from Daniel Osley with Wells Fargo.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from Daniel Ostley with Wells Fargo. Please proceed with your question.

Cameron: Thanks Cameron.

Daniel Osley: Please proceed with your question. Thank you.

Unknown Executive: Thank you. Maybe as a question, or maybe as a follow-up on the national ads question, as you mentioned, Scott, you've made some really great strides in the airport segment on national, and much has come from new advertisers. So have you been able to use airports as a way to pull in new advertisers on your billboard inventory in America?

Scott Wells: Maybe as a question, or maybe as a follow-up on the national ads question. As you mentioned, Scott, you made some really great strides in the airport segment on national, and much has come from new advertisers. So if you've been able to use airports as a way to pull in new advertisers on your billboard inventory in America. So we have done some with that, but you from the advertiser perspective, the proposition in an airport is pretty different from roadside. And so what we have, we have not had a lot of success cross-selling airports to roadside. We've had more success selling roadside to airports generally by expanding buys and spreading things out.

Speaker Change: We have not had a lot of success cross-selling airports to roadside. We've had more success selling roadside to airports.

Scott Wells: There have been examples of where we've done that, but a lot of our airport advertisers are very focused on the airport audience. And so it doesn't translate into roadside that well, whereas with a lot of our roadside audience buyers, they're looking at a broader audience; in the airports, it gives them a somewhat narrower.

Daniel Osley: Makes sense. That's helpful.

Daniel Osley: And then maybe as a quick follow-up. In the past, you've mentioned commitment and cancellations as a leading indicator of an advertising downturn. So if you started to see enough to cure and how of your most recent conversation with advertisers trended.

Scott Wells: Thank you for raising that one, Daniel. It's a really, really important point. We are in agencies, as well as with advertisers, is that we're going to see a pretty decent ad market in the second half this year. We do have this little election thing going on that is likely to crowd out some TV advertisers, which is going to create opportunity for us. And we have been working diligently on getting with the campaigns and getting with the different national committees to try to educate them on what's possible with our digital assets. So stay tuned for how that impacts things.

Scott Wells: Thank you for raising that one, Daniel. It's a really, really important point.

Speaker Change: Thank you for raising that one, Daniel. It's a really, really important point. We are not seeing.

Speaker Change: a bunch of cancellations, and...

Scott Wells: We are not seeing a bunch of cancellations, and the sense that we get talking with our partners in agencies, as well as with advertisers, is that we're going to see a pretty decent ad market in the second half of this year. We do have this little election thing going on that is likely to crowd out some TV advertisers, which is going to create opportunity for us. And we have been working diligently on getting involved with the campaigns and getting with the different national committees to try to educate them on what's possible with our digital assets.

Speaker Change: some TV advertisers, which is going to create opportunity for us. And we have been working diligently on getting with the campaigns and getting with the different national committees.

Scott Wells: So stay tuned for how that impacts things. I'm not saying it's going to be a big number for us, but I think that backdrop is something that will be positive for the ad market in the second half.

Scott Wells: I'm not saying it's going to be a big number for us, but I think that backdrop is something that is a positive for the ad market in the second half.

Speaker Change: So stay tuned for how that impacts things. I'm not saying it's going to be a big number for us, but I think...

Operator: Thank you. The next question is from Avi Steiner.

Harvey Siner: Our next question is from Harvey Siner with JP Morgan. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our next question is from Avi Steiner with J.P. Morgan. Please proceed with your question.

Harvey Siner: Thank you and good morning. I've got a couple here. Scott, good to hear trends are improving in the Americas. I just wanted a quick clarification. Was that a comment specific to national or the segment overall?

Unknown Executive: Thank you and good morning. I've got a couple here.

Scott Wells: And then, relatedly, you just talked about political and the crowd-out benefits, but I'm wondering about political itself, if you could talk about what that might mean for your boards in the Americas. And then I've got a couple of follow-ups. Thank you. Yeah, so my comment is just for advertising in general that for out of home in general, I think the campaign spending that's going on will be a positive because of the crowd-out factor, as well as possibly picking up some local races, and maybe we can even get a little bit of national money. In terms of forecasting for you, what the spend is going to be, I think even if we're successful, getting some of that national money, it's not going to be transformative for us.

Scott Wells: Scott, good to hear trends are improving in the Americas. I just wanted a quick clarification. Was that a comment specific to national or the segment overall? And then relatedly, you just talked about politics and the crowd out benefits, but I'm wondering about politics itself. If you could talk about what that might mean for you.

Scott Wells: Yeah, so my comment is just about advertising in general, that for out of home in general, I think the campaign spending that's going on will be positive because of the crowd-out factor, as well as possibly picking up, you know, some local races, and maybe we can even get a little bit of national money. In terms of forecasting for you what the spend is going to be, I think even if we're successful in getting some of that national money, it's not going to be, you know, transformative for us.

Avi Steiner: Yeah, so, um...

Speaker Change: My comment is just for advertising in general, that for out of home in general, I think the campaign...

Speaker Change: Spending that's going on will be a positive because of the crowd out factor, as well as possibly picking up, you know, some local races, and maybe we can even get a little bit of national money. In terms of forecasting for you what the spend is going to be, I think even if we're successful,

Speaker Change: getting some of that national money. It's not going to be, you know, transformative for us. The way that these campaigns work...

Scott Wells: The way that these campaigns work is you have to see somebody get elected because of some ad scheme for that ad scheme to become the preferred ad scheme. And we haven't had that advertiser, and I don't believe either of the principles this year are likely to be that player.

Scott Wells: The way that these campaigns work is you have to see somebody get elected because of some ad schema for that ad schema to become the preferred ad schema. And we haven't had that advertiser, and I don't believe either of the principles this year are likely to be that player. I think we may see quite a war on TikTok, but that's a whole other area of speculation. But I do think that we have gotten some traction as we've worked with the political operatives and educating them on what's possible with digital. So I think the way to think about this election cycle for us is that maybe we can get some nice trial and maybe we can help swing a couple of swing states for someone.

Speaker Change: is you have to see somebody get elected because of some

Scott Wells: I think we may see quite a war on TikTok, but that's a whole other area of speculation. But I do think that we have gotten some traction as we've worked with the political operatives and educated them on what's possible with digital. So I think the way to think about this election cycle for us is that maybe we can get some nice wins and maybe we can help swing a couple swing states for someone. And, you know, in 2028, we'll be having a more optimistic discussion about how much money is going to come flowing in.

Speaker Change: That player, I think we...

Speaker Change: That's a whole other area of speculation.

Speaker Change: But I do think that we have gotten some traction as we've worked with the political operatives and educating them on what's possible with digital. So I think the way to think about this election cycle for us is that

Speaker Change: Maybe we can get some nice trial and maybe we can help swing a couple swing states for someone and, you know, in 2028 we'll be having a more optimistic discussion about how much money is going to come flowing in.

Harvey Siner: And in 2028 we'll be having a more optimistic discussion about how much money is going to come. Okay, appreciate that.

David Sailer: Okay, appreciate that. And then, not to get too in the weeds here, but I think you highlighted credit losses, specific reserves for certain customers in the Americas. I'm just wondering if you can provide a little color there in terms of how we should think about that at that one time, etc.

David Sailer: And then not to get to in the weeds here, but I think you highlighted credit losses. Specific visitors for certain customers in the Americas. I'm just wondering if you can find a little color there in terms of how we should think about that. Is that one time, etcetera?

Speaker Change: Okay, appreciate that. And then not to get too in the weeds here, but I think you highlighted credit losses, specific reserves for certain customers in the Americas. I'm just wondering if you can provide a little color there in terms of how we should think about that at that one time, etc.

David Sailer: Yeah, I can take that, Abby.

David Sailer: Yeah, I can take that, Avi, good morning. I mean, from a credit loss perspective, that's just going to happen as part of the business. If you kind of look at the history, I mean, if you look at Q3 of last year, we actually had, you know, upside from credit losses where the collections came in later. I mean, overall, as a company, I think we do a really nice job of collecting cash.

David Sailer: Good morning. I mean, from a credit loss. I mean, that's just going to happen as part of the business. If you kind of look at the history, I mean, if you look at Q3 of last year, we actually had, you know, upside from credit loss, where the collections came in later. I mean, overall, as a company, I think we do a really nice job of collecting cash to team. That does a good job, but on time you're going to have, you know, credit losses here and there that are going to pop up. And, you know, we had one pop up in Q2 of this year, but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about or any kind of trends there.

Speaker Change: Yeah, I can take that, Avi. Good morning.

Speaker Change: That does a good job, but on time you're going to have, you know, credit losses here and there that are going to pop up and, you know, we had one pop up in Q2 of this year, but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about or any kind of trends there.

Harvey Siner: Terrific.

Harvey Siner: And if I can end it on this, and Scott, I'm sure you're not excited for this question, but just on the strategic review for your north. I think you reiterated that negotiations are ongoing, and I'm just curious if the healthy results in that segment is a complicating factor or factor at all in any way in terms of how they might be progressing. And thank you all for the time.

Scott: Terrific and if I can end it on this and Scott I'm sure you're not excited for this question but just on the strategic review for Europe North I think you reiterated that negotiations are ongoing and I'm just curious if the healthy results in that segment is...

Speaker Change: a complicating factor or a factor at all in any way in terms of how that might be progressing. And thank you all for the time.

Scott Wells: Thanks, I mean, you know, I, I, I'd be liable if I didn't expect some questions on Europe North. So thanks for opening the floodgates on that one, I'm sure. Look, I think that I would much rather sell a business that is performing than a business that is struggling. So I feel, I feel really good about the performance of Europe North. And I don't think that that is a factor. Except to the degree that it will give us conviction that, you know, we need a fair value for the asset. We're not going to be super cute and try to squeeze every last nickel.

David Sailer: The team does a good job. But on time, you're going to have, you know, credit losses here and there that are going to pop up. And, you know, we had one pop up in Q2 of this year, but I don't think it's anything to be concerned about or any kind of trends there.

Speaker Change: Thanks Avi. You know, I'd be lively if I didn't expect some questions on Europe North, so thanks for opening the...

Scott Wells: Terrific. And if I can end it on this, and Scott, I'm sure you're not excited about this question. But just on the strategic review for Europe North, I think you reiterated that negotiations are ongoing. And I'm just curious if the healthy results in that segment are

Speaker Change: The floodgates on that one, I'm sure. Look, I think that I would much rather sell a business that is performing than a business that is struggling. So I feel I feel really good about

Scott Wells: Thanks, Avi. You know, I'd be lying to you if I didn't expect some questions on Europe North, so thanks for opening the floodgates on that one, I'm sure. Look, I think that I would much rather sell a business that is performing than a business that is struggling. So I feel really good about the performance of Europe North, and I don't think that that is a factor, except to the degree that it will give us conviction that we need a fair value for the asset. We're not going to be super cute and try to squeeze every last nickel.

Speaker Change: The performance of Europe North, and I don't think that that is a...

Scott Wells: I think our behavior on our transactions to date has been pretty consistent on that, that we have struck a balance of pragmatism and fair value. But it just strikes us that having Europe North performing as well as it does, I do not think is a complicating factor. I think the fact that the business is a complicated business is why this, you know, it always takes longer than you hope to work your way through things, because there's just a lot of moving pieces in a business as big and as complicated as it is.

Speaker Change: That, you know, we need a fair value for the asset. We're not going to be super cute and try to squeeze every last nickel. I think our behavior on our transactions to date have been pretty consistent on that, that we have...

Scott Wells: I think our behavior on our transactions today to have been pretty consistent on that that we have struck a balance of pragmatism and fair value. But it just strikes us that, you know, having Europe North performing as well as it does, I do not think is a complicating factor. I think the fact that the business is a complicated business is why this, you know, it always takes longer than you hope in working your way through things because there's just a lot of moving pieces in a business as big and as complicated as it is. And so I think that is the answer to your underlying question of, you know, why is this taking so darn long?

Speaker Change: struck a balance of pragmatism and fair value but it just strikes us that you know having having Europe North performing as well as it does I do not think is a complicating factor. I think the fact that

Speaker Change: The business is a complicated business is why this, you know, it always takes longer than you hope.

Speaker Change: in working your way through things because there's just...

Scott Wells: And so I think that is the answer to your underlying question of, you know, why is this taking so darn long? You know, that's really what the driver of it is. There are a lot of moving parts, and a buyer needs to get comfortable with all of those underlying parts.

Speaker Change: A lot of moving pieces in a business as big and as complicated as it is. And so I think that is the answer to your underlying question of, you know, why is this taking so darn long?

Scott Wells: You know, that that's really what the driver of it is. There's a lot of moving parts, and a buyer needs to get comfortable with all of those underlying parts.

Speaker Change: A buyer needs to get comfortable with all of those underlying parts.

Operator: I appreciate it. Thank you.

Harvey Siner: Appreciate it.

Harvey Siner: Thank you. Thanks, Abby.

Speaker Change: Appreciate it. Thank you.

Unknown Executive: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from Lance Vitanza with TD Cowan. Please proceed with your question.

Lance Vitamza: Our next question is from Lance Vitamza with TD Cowan. Please proceed with your question.

Lance Vitamza: Thanks, guys.

Unknown Executive: Thanks, guys. On the airport side, I wanted to return to this topic of the new advertising customers. I think that's really important.

Lance Vitamza: On the airport side, I wanted to return to this topic of the new ad customers. I think that's really important. Was that new advertisers that you're seeing at airports in existing verticals or with these new advertisers and new verticals? And then do you set either way? Do you have a sense for how the new advertisers are feeling about the efficacy of their spend? Are they pleased? Are they giving you feedback? Are they likely to continue, or at this point could they potentially be just sort of in and out of the medium? Thanks.

Speaker Change: Thanks, guys. On the airport side, I wanted to return to this topic of the new ad customers. I think that's really important. Was that new advertisers that you're seeing at airports in existing verticals, or were these new advertisers in new verticals? And then, either way, do you have a sense for how the new advertisers are feeling about the efficacy of their spend? Are they pleased? Have they given you feedback? Are they likely to continue? Or, at this point, could they potentially be just sort of in and out?

Scott Wells: Was those new advertisers that you're seeing at airports in existing verticals, or were these new advertisers in new verticals? And then, either way, do you have a sense for how the new advertisers are feeling about the efficacy of their spend? Are they pleased? Have they given you feedback? Are they likely to continue? Or, at this point, could they potentially be just sort of in and out of the medium? Thanks.

Scott Wells: There's a lot going on there, Lance. First and foremost, there is always a danger with an advertiser that they're going to be in and out. A lot of the reasons that people advertise are ephemeral. It's a product launch; it's expansion into a new geography. I think that that tells the story of what's gone on with our national business for a bunch of years in terms of things ebbing and flowing. The last thing I would want to represent here is that once we get a customer, there are customers for life. Of course, we'd prefer that to be the case, but that's not typically how it plays out.

Speaker Change: of the medium. Thanks.

Scott Wells: There's a lot going on here, Lance. So, you know, first and foremost, there is always a danger with an ad advertiser that they're going to be in and out. A lot of the reasons that people advertise are ephemeral. You know, it's a product launch, or it's an expansion into a new geography. There are, you know, I think that tells the story of what's gone on with our national business for a bunch of years in terms of, you know, things ebbing and flowing.

Speaker Change: There's a lot going on there Lance. So, you know, first and foremost...

Scott Wells: So, the last thing I would want to represent here is that once we get a customer, they're a customer for life. Of course, we'd prefer that to be the case, but that's not typically how it plays out. I'd say the growth has been a healthy mix of people going deeper within verticals that already existed in airports, you know, things like technology or things like education and things related to, like, universities, things like that, and healthcare facilities.

Scott Wells: I'd say the growth has been a healthy mix of people going deeper within verticals that already were in airports. Things like technology or things like education and things related to universities, things like that, and healthcare facilities. The healthcare is probably even one that straddles a little bit. I think we've done a really good job developing that vertical. They probably did some advertising in airports five years ago, but they're much more commonly in. It's been a mix, and it's been a conscious effort. The team has been very focused on targeting verticals that they think are good fits.

Speaker Change: You know, things like technology or things like.

Lance: Education and things related to universities, things like that, and healthcare facilities.

Scott Wells: Healthcare is probably even one that straddles a little bit. I think we've done a really good job developing that vertical. They probably did some advertising in airports five years ago, but they're much more common now.

David Sailer: So, it's been a mix, and it's been a conscious effort. The team has been very focused on targeting verticals that they think are good fits, and they've done a nice job of leveraging the environment we're in, where travel is so popular, that it's been just a really terrific business development story. The team is to be congratulated for that.

Speaker Change: But they're much more commonly in. So it's been a mix, and it's been a conscious effort.

David Sailer: They've done a nice job of leveraging the environment where NWR travel is so popular that it's been just a really terrific business development story that teams can be congratulated for that. It looks like Margin hung in pretty well at 22%. I want to say you've been guiding toward lower margins below 20%, or at least, over time.

Speaker Change: And they've done a nice job of leveraging the environment we're in, where travel is so popular that it's been just a really terrific business development story. The team's to be congratulated for that.

Speaker Change: And it looks like margin hung in pretty well at 22%. I want to say you've been guiding toward lower margins below 20% or at least over time. And could you talk about the drivers?

David Sailer: Could you talk about the drivers and maybe the cadence of any expected ramp down to lower margins at airports that you're thinking about these days?

David Sailer: Well, I'm going to make one wisecrack, and then I'm going to hand it to Dave. Lance, I think I'm going to invite you to our budget sessions because I've been noticing that the margins have been hanging tough for some time too, but I'll let Dave give it for a fact-based answer. I mean, look at the end of the day. Airports, the business has performed very, very strong as everyone knows over the last 12 months, 15 months. When you have revenue growth in the first quarter, we are close to 40%, and margins are off. We have, obviously, the renovations has kind of been a tailwind to us.

Dave: Well, I'm going to make one wisecrack and then I'm going to hand it to Dave. Lance, I think I'm going to invite you to our budget...

David Sailer: 12 months, 15 months, when you have revenue growth, you know, in the first quarter, we were close to 40%, and margins are up. And we have, obviously, the rent abatements have kind of been a tailwind to us, you know, that revenue growth has continued. So with revenue growth at 20%, and we had less rent abatement. So if you look at our margins last year, in Q2 versus this year, they were actually higher last year because there were more abatements.

David Sailer: But if that trend continues, look, from a business standpoint, you know that that top line is going to drive the margin. So as we move forward, we continue seeing the expansion on the top line, you know, the margins are you're going to hit, you know, over 20%. I'd say the airports team has done a great job just being as efficient as possible. You know, they have not had a lot of resources as we have on that top line. So they did a really good job there.

Speaker Change: you know, 12 months, 15 months, and

Dave: When you have revenue growth, you know, in the first quarter, we were close to 40% and mortgages are up. And we have, obviously, the rent abatements has kind of been a tailwind to us.

David Sailer: That revenue growth has continued. We've revenue growth at 20%, and we had less renovations. If you look at our margins last year in Q2 versus this year, they were actually higher last year because there were more abatements. But if that trend continues, look from a business standpoint; that top line is going to drive the margins. As we move forward, we continue seeing the expansion on the top line. The margins are going to hit over 20%. I'd say the Airports team has done a great job just being as efficient as possible. They have not added a lot of resources as we have grown that top line, so they've done a really good job there.

Dave: You know, that revenue growth has continued, so with revenue growth at 20%

Dave: And we had less rent abatements, so if you look at our margins last year in Q2 versus this year, they were actually higher last year because there were more abatements.

Dave: But if that trend continues, look, from a business standpoint,

David Sailer: You know, we will put some investment into the business. But now I think the margins are, you know, I think we're getting to a point where we're going to get over the big teams. And as I look into the second half, I mean, they'll be, you know, they might get a spike if we still have a few rental abatements that are out there. And that would be a tailwind as well. But we'll see if those come in.

Dave: We continue seeing the expansion on the top line, you know, the margins are you're going to hit

David Sailer: We will put some investments into the business, but no, I think the margins are getting to a point where we're going to get over that big teams. As I look into the second half, there'll be, you might get a spike if there are still a few rental abatements that are out there. That would be a tailwind as well, but we'll see if those come in.

Dave: And as I look into the second half, I mean, they'll be, you know, you might get a spike if there are still a few rental abatements that are out there, and that would be a tailwind as well, but we'll see if those come in.

Lance Vitamza: Thanks, guys. Thanks, Lance.

Speaker Change: Thanks, guys.

Speaker Change: Thanks lads.

Unknown Executive: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from David Karnovsky with J.P. Morgan. Please proceed with your question.

David Karnovsky: Our next question is from David Karnovsky with J.P. Morgan.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our next question is from David Karnovsky with J.P. Morgan. Please proceed with your question.

David Karnovsky: Please pursue with your question. All right. Thank you.

Operator: Hi, thank you. This is Ted on behalf of David.

David Karnovsky: This is Ted on for David. I just wanted to ask a follow-up question on national and how we should be thinking about the improvement in Q3 and the second half. You brought up a four political and the crowd out of X, but presumably there should also be easier comps and improvements in media entertainment. So I just wanted to ask about that.

Unknown Executive: I just wanted to ask a follow-up question on national and how we should be thinking about the improvement in Q3 and the second half. You brought up politics and the crowd artifacts, but presumably there should also be easier comps and improvements in media entertainment. So I just wanted to ask about that. And then, secondly, could you give an update on San Francisco during Q2? I think going back to Q1 earnings, you said that it was improving, but nowhere near full potential. Thank you.

David Karnovsky: And then, secondly, could you give an update on San Francisco during Q2? I think going back to Q1 earnings, you said that it was improving, but nowhere near full potential. Thank you.

David Karnovsky: So, I just wanted to ask about that, and then secondly, could you give an update on San Francisco during Q2, I think, going back to Q1 earnings? You said that it was improving, but nowhere near.

Scott Wells: Great. Thanks, Ted. Yeah.

Scott Wells: So you're definitely right on national that our comp in Q3 is much softer than our comp in Q2 was. So that should be a mitigating factor. I'm not sure if media entertainment is going to be helping us too much. We've talked about this before that we tend to get more movie versus like television within the media entertainment piece. And the release schedule for Q3 is okay, not great. I think the release schedule starts looking better in Q4. So I'm not sure that media entertainment is going to be a big tailwind, but you're absolutely right that the softer comp is a factor.

Speaker Change: Yeah, so, so you're, you're definitely right on.

Speaker Change: National that our comp in Q3

Speaker Change: is much softer than our comp in Q2 was. So that should be a mitigating factor. I'm not sure if media and entertainment is gonna be helping us too much. We've talked about this before, that we tend to get more...

Speaker Change: And the release schedule for Q3 is OK, not great. I think the release schedule starts looking better in Q4.

Speaker Change: So I'm not sure that media entertainment is going to be a big tailwind, but you're absolutely right that the softer comp is a factor.

Scott Wells: On the Bay Area, your question about San Francisco, I think that our characterization would be very consistent with the Q1 characterization that it is continuing to improve, but there still is a good way to go before we're celebrating that we've gotten all the way there. I think Dave referenced that airports had a particularly strong really first half in San Francisco, which was great to see that you're seeing the travel aspect, you know, really, really rebound very strongly. Traffic is certainly back in the Bay Area. Anybody who's traveled out there recently recognizes just how crowded the roads are and so forth.

Scott Wells: The Bay Area, your question about San Francisco, I think that our characterization would be very consistent with the Q1 characterization, that it is continuing to improve, but there still is a good ways to go before we're celebrating that we've gotten all the way there. I think Dave referenced that airports had a particularly strong, really, first half in San Francisco, which was great to see that you're seeing the travel aspect really, really rebound very strongly. Traffic is certainly back in the Bay Area.

Dave: But there still is a good ways to go before we're celebrating that we've gotten all the way there. I think Dave referenced.

Dave: that you're seeing the travel aspect.

Speaker Change: you know really really rebound very strongly on traffic is certainly back in the Bay Area anybody who's traveled out there recently

Scott Wells: Anybody who's traveled out there recently recognizes just how crowded the roads are and so forth. And the city itself continues to improve. So I think we're, I think we're on the right trend line for San Francisco, but I'd be remiss if I characterize it as we're all the way back.

Speaker Change: recognizes just how crowded the roads are, and so forth. And the city itself, you know, continues to improve. So I think we're in the right trend line on San Francisco, but I'd be remiss if I characterized it as we're all the way back.

Scott Wells: And the city itself, you know, continues to improve. So I think we're, I think we're in the right trend line on San Francisco, but I'd be remiss if I characterize it as we're all the way back. We could cut off.

David Karnovsky: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from Jim Goss with Barrington Research. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: We can cut off.

Jim Goss: Our next question is from Jim Goss with Barrington Research. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker Change: Thank you. Our next question is from Jim Goss with Barrington Research. Please proceed with your question.

Jim Goss: Hi, sorry. I was going to ask about recession concerns that seem to pop up here and there are, you know, it's... It's been a long time since we've had an actual recession, and I was wondering, so far so good, but what risks do you think exist in terms of categories and add verticals, anything else that you think we should be thinking about?

Unknown Executive: Hi, sorry, I was going to ask about recession concerns that seem to pop up here and there. It's been a long time since we've had an actual recession, and I was wondering, so far, so good, but what risks do you think exist in terms of categories, advertising, anything else that you think we should be thinking about?

Speaker Change: It's been a long time since we've had an actual recession, and I was wondering, so far so good, but what risks do you think exist in terms of categories, adverticals, anything else that you think we should be thinking about?

Scott Wells: Thanks, Jim. That's a big question. I am certainly not an economist, and I've been pretty consistent in my pushback since March of '22 that from what we could see commercially, we weren't going off a cliff, and I continue to feel that way. Again, our canary and the coal mine in this business are cancellations, and we really have not seen any sort of uptick in that degree. So any speculation beyond that, I'd be going on without the benefit of economic models and all the things that the people who will pine on this have. I think just thinking about the broader topic of risk, any time you've got a political campaign going on anywhere in the world, it's a double-edged sword at some level because you can have advertisers feel like they don't want to get caught up in the noise of it.

Scott Wells: Thanks, Jim. That's a, that's a big question. Um, you know, I'm certainly not an economist and I've been pretty consistent in my pushback since March 22 that, from what we could see commercially, we weren't going off a cliff, and I continue to feel that way. Again, our canary in the coal mine in this business is cancellations, and we really have not seen any sort of uptick in that degree. So any speculation beyond that would be going on without the benefit of economic models and all the things that the people who opine on this have. I think just thinking about the broader topic of risk.

Speaker Change: I am certainly not an economist and

Speaker Change: You know, I've been I've been pretty consistent in my my pushback since

Speaker Change: March of 22 that

Speaker Change: we really have not seen.

Speaker Change: Any sort of uptick in that degree.

Speaker Change: So any speculation beyond that, you know, I'd be going on without the benefit of, you know, economic models and all the things that, you know, the people who opine on this have.

Scott Wells: Anytime you've got a political campaign going on anywhere in the world, it's a double-edged sword at some level because you can have advertisers feel like they don't want to get caught up in the noise of it. I probably, absent the events of the last five weeks where you've had a change in the tone on one of the sides of the divide, I think my view of the risk of that dynamic was worse before the change in candidate that happened.

Scott Wells: I probably absent the events in the last five weeks where you've had a change in the tone on one of the sides of the divide. I think my view of risk of that dynamic was worse before the change in candidate that happened. I think the change in candidate that happened has caused some of the chance that we were going to have a bunch of brands say I don't want to be part of this election to diminish. But I am really speculating on that one, Jim. But I mean we see elections all over the world; part of the softness we had in Latam in Q2 was because of the Mexican election.

Speaker Change: You know, I probably absent the events of the last five weeks where you've had a change in

Speaker Change: The tone on one of the sides of the...

Speaker Change: of the divide, I think my view of risk of that dynamic was worse before the change in candidate.

Scott Wells: I think the change in candidate that happened has caused some of the chance that we were going to have a bunch of brands say, I don't want to be part of this election to diminish. But I am I am really speculating on that one, Jim.

Speaker Change: that happened.

Speaker Change: You know, some of the chance that we were going to have a bunch of brands say, I don't want to be part of this election.

Scott Wells: But I mean, we see elections all over the world. Part of the softness we had in LATAM in Q2 was because of the Mexican election. And you had, in the run-up to the Mexican election, there were a lot of candidates killed, and you had a lot of advertisers just pull their campaigns for kind of the six weeks before and four weeks after the election cycle. I don't think we're going to see anything like that here.

Scott Wells: And you had in the run-up to the Mexican election there were a lot of candidates killed, and you had a lot of advertisers just pull their campaigns for kind of the six weeks before and four weeks after the election cycle. I don't think we're going to see anything like that here. I don't think there's a risk of anything like that here. But if you're an advertiser, it's something you have to factor in. I think in the world that we live in right now, the risk that comes from escalation in the Middle East or things breaking in a bad direction in Ukraine are certain factors that are out there.

Speaker Change: in Q2 was because of the Mexican election and you had in the run-up to the Mexican election there were a lot of candidates killed and you had a lot of advertisers just pull their campaigns for kind of the

Scott Wells: I don't think there's a risk of anything like that here, but you know, if you're an advertiser, it's something you have to factor in. I think, you know, in the world that we live in right now, the risk that comes from escalation in the Middle East or things breaking in a bad direction in Ukraine are certainly factors that are out there.

Speaker Change: But, you know, if you're an advertiser, it's something you have to factor in.

Scott Wells: But in my conversations with advertisers, I tend to think that those sort of things are more imponderable that they're going to react to at the time as opposed to preemptively behave on the sort of vibe of an election is one that they're more likely to hunker down around. And, you know, all of this comes back to how the P&Ls are looking at the businesses that advertise. And I think you see in the behavior of the advertisers, you know, for the most part, those P&Ls are doing just fine. And so, all in all, I'm always nervous about being too much of a Pollyanna. But I think all the fundamentals are pretty sound.

Speaker Change: or things breaking in a bad direction in Ukraine are certainly factors that are out there.

Scott Wells: But in my dialogues with advertisers, I tend to think that those sort of things are more imponderables that they're going to react to at the time as opposed to preemptively behave on the sort of vibe of an election is one that they're more likely to hunker down around. And all of this comes back to how are the PNLs looking at the businesses that advertise. And I think you see in the behavior of the advertisers, for the most part, those PNLs are doing just fine. And so I guess all in, I'm always nervous about being too much of a Pollyanna, but I think all in the fundamentals are pretty sound.

Speaker Change: In my dialogues with advertisers, I tend to think that those sort of things...

Speaker Change: are more imponderables that they're going to react to at the time as opposed to preemptively behave on. The sort of vibe of an election is one that they're more likely to hunker down around.

Speaker Change: And, you know, all of this comes back to...

Speaker Change: How are the P&Ls looking at the businesses that advertise? And I think you see in the behavior of the advertisers.

Speaker Change: You know, for the most part, those P&Ls are doing just fine.

Speaker Change: And so, I guess all in, I'm always nervous about being too much of a Pollyanna, but I think all in, the fundamentals are pretty sound.

Scott Wells: Have you noticed any changes of note in any of your business areas in the larger and smaller markets? From whatever shifts in to work from home and remote to access, may have taken place over the past years, we haven't really fully gone back to the way things were pre-pandemic. To the good or bad? Jim, it's a great question, and it's one that, as a leader of business, I spend a lot of time thinking about how we deal with our employees on this dimension. And you're right that the world has not gone back to what it was in 2019.

Scott Wells: Okay, have you noticed any changes of note in any of your business areas, in larger and smaller markets, from whatever shifts in to work from home and remote access may have taken place over the past years? We haven't really fully gone back to the way things were pre-pandemic. Has that affected your business in any way, good or bad?

Speaker Change: in any of your business areas in the larger and smaller markets from

Speaker Change: May have taken place over the past years, you know, we haven't really fully gone back to the way things were pre-pandemic. Has it affected your business in any way to the good or bad?

Scott Wells: You know, Jim, it's a great question. And it's one that, you know, as a leader in business, I spend a lot of time thinking about how we deal with our employees on this dimension. And you're right that the world has not gone back to what it was in 2019. I think the things I'd characterize, since we are predominantly an airport and roadside business, and that's true really globally, we have a few transit contracts around the world, you know, underground transit, that is.

Scott Wells: I think the things I'd characterize, since we are predominantly an airport and roadside business, and that's true really globally. We have a few transit contracts around the world, you know, underground transit that is. But we, I look at traffic around the world, and traffic around the world has not, is not like diminished from where it was in 2019. On the contrary, I think it's up in almost, almost everywhere; certainly in the vast majority of the markets that we're in, traffic has increased, the audience has increased; therefore, the value of our roadside assets has gone up.

Speaker Change: in 2019.

Scott Wells: But, we, I look at traffic around the world, and traffic around the world has not, is not diminished from where it was in 2019. On the contrary, I think it's up almost everywhere, certainly in the vast majority of the markets that we're in. Traffic has increased, the audience has increased, and therefore, the value of our roadside assets has gone up. And, obviously, airports have come back with a vengeance, and those assets have proven to be quite valuable.

Speaker Change: We, we, I look at traffic around.

Speaker Change: traffic has increased, the audience has increased, therefore the value of our roadside assets has gone up.

Scott Wells: And obviously, airports have come back with our vengeance, and those assets have proven to be quite valuable. So, from our perspective, work from home is not crushing our audience, because our audience is still out driving around doing things in their personal lives as well as their commute. They might be on the road at different hours, but they're still on the road a lot. So I think that that would be how I'd characterize that, Jim.

Scott Wells: So from our perspective, working from home is not crushing our audience because our audience is still out driving around doing things in their personal lives as well as their commute. They might be on the road at different hours, but they're still on the road a lot. So I think that that would be how I'd characterize that. Okay.

Speaker Change: So, from our perspective, work from home is not crushing our audience because our audience is still out driving around, doing things in their personal lives as well as their commute. They might be on the road at different hours, but they're still on the road a lot.

Scott Wells: Okay, last thing just to pile on a little bit in the Europe North area, as interest in the Europe North properties has picked up given the good results you've been experiencing and or the pricing expectations for those.

Scott Wells: Okay, last thing just to pile on a little bit in the Europe North area has interest in the Europe North properties picked up given the good result you've been experiencing and or pricing expectations for those properties. So I'm definitely not going to comment on pricing expectations, other than just say that we're committed to getting a fair value. I tell you that the interest; look, our team cast an extremely wide net. So we have had a pretty broad-based set of interest for a fairly long time, with pockets of that interest spiking over that time as we've gotten in the dialogues.

Speaker Change: So I think that would be how I'd characterize that, Jim.

Speaker Change: Okay, last thing just to pile on a little bit in the Europe North area, as interest in the Europe North properties

Speaker Change: picked up given the good results you've been experiencing and or pricing expectations for those properties.

Scott Wells: So I'm definitely not going to comment on pricing expectations other than just say that we're committed to getting a fair value. You know, I'd tell you that the interest Look, our team casts an extremely wide net. So we have had a pretty broad base of interests for a fairly long time, with pockets of that interest spiking over that time as we've gotten into conversations. It is a business that is complicated.

Speaker Change: So I'm definitely not going to comment on pricing expectations other than just say that we're committed to getting a fair value. You know, I'd tell you that the interest...

Scott Wells: It is a business that is complicated. And so, as people learn more about it, they ask different questions and, you know, the fact that it's continued to perform, I think, is all a positive for it. So I wouldn't tell you I wouldn't tell you that we have had we have had ebbing and flowing of particular interest from particular parties, but we've known who the parties were for a long time. I guess that's the way I'd care.

Speaker Change: It is a business that is complicated.

Scott Wells: And so as people learn more about it, they ask different questions. And the fact that it's continuing to perform, I think, is all positive for it. So I wouldn't tell you that we have had ebbing and flowing of particular interest from particular parties, but we've known who the parties were for a long time. I guess that's the way I'd characterize it. All right.

Unknown Executive: Alright, thanks for taking my question.

Jim Goss: Thank you, Jim. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I'd like to hand the floor back over to Scott Wells for any closing comments.

Unknown Executive: There are no further questions at this time.

Scott Wells: I'd like to hand the floor back over to Scott Wells for any closing comments. Great. Thank you very much, Paul. And thank you all for joining us today. I think it lighted a recent stock market volatility.

Speaker Change: Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I'd like to hand the floor back over to Scott Wells for any closing comments.

Scott Wells: Great. Thank you very much, Paul. And thank you all for joining us today. I think in light of the recent stock market volatility, it is worth me putting a pin in what we were just talking about with Jim, which is that we believe the fundamental drivers of demand for our assets are very sound, and that we are very encouraged by the progress that we're making in driving our business. So as we head into the second half, it is with an upbeat tempo and a sense that good things are lying ahead. So again, thank you all, and we'll speak soon.

Scott Wells: It is worth my putting a pin in what we were just talking about with Jim. Which is that we believe the fundamental drivers of demand for our assets are very sound and that we are very encouraged by the progress that we're making driving our business. So as we head into the second half, it is with an upbeat tempo and a sense that good things are lying ahead.

Scott Wells: are very sound and that we are very encouraged by the progress that we're making driving our business. So as we head into the second half, it is with an upbeat tempo and a sense that good things are lying ahead. So again, thank you all, and we'll speak soon.

Unknown Executive: So again, thank you all, and we'll speak soon.

Unknown Executive: This concludes today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.