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                                                         Exhibit 10.13(a)

               THE SECURITY REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WAS
               ORIGINALLY ISSUED ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AND HAS
               NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
               1933, AS AMENDED. THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITY IS
               SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE SENIOR
               SUBORDINATED NOTE, PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT
               PURCHASE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
               AS AMENDED AND MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, BETWEEN
               THE ISSUER HEREOF (THE "COMPANY") AND THE INITIAL
               HOLDER HEREOF AND THE STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT,
               DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998, AMONG THE COMPANY AND
               CERTAIN OF ITS INVESTORS, AND THE COMPANY RESERVES
               THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITY
               UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED WITH
               RESPECT TO SUCH TRANSFER. UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, A
               COPY OF SUCH CONDITIONS SHALL BE FURNISHED BY THE
               COMPANY TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE.

                             ZIMMERMAN SIGN COMPANY

                             STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT


Date of Issuance:  September 30, 1998                     Certificate No. W-A-__


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Zimmerman Sign Company, a Texas corporation (the
"COMPANY"), hereby grants to _______________ or his registered assigns (the
"REGISTERED HOLDER") the right to purchase from the Company _________ shares of
Common Stock at a price per share equal to $3.79 (as adjusted from time to
time in accordance herewith, the "EXERCISE PRICE"). This warrant (this
"WARRANT") is one of the warrants referred to in SECTION 1A of, and is being
issued pursuant to the terms of the Senior Subordinated Note, Preferred Stock
and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1998, between the
Company, the Registered Holder, Continental Illinois Venture Corporation, MIG
Partners VIII and certain other management purchasers listed therein (the
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT"). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in
SECTION 8 hereof. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the
meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The amount and kind of securities
obtainable pursuant to the rights granted hereunder and the purchase price for
such securities are subject to adjustment pursuant to the provisions contained
in this Warrant.

     For tax purposes, the value of this Warrant as of the date hereof is
$___________.

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     This Warrant is subject to the following provisions:

     Section 1. EXERCISE OF WARRANT.

     1A. EXERCISE PERIOD. The Registered Holder may exercise, in whole or in
part (but not as to a fractional share of Common Stock), the purchase rights
represented by this Warrant at any time and from time to time during the period
(the "EXERCISE PERIOD") after the Date of Issuance to and including the later of
(i) September 30, 2008 and (ii) the 90th day following the redemption in full of
all outstanding Series A Preferred, whether by prepayment, at maturity or
otherwise. The Company shall give the Registered Holder written notice of the
expiration of the Exercise Period at least 30 days but not more than 90 days
prior to the end of the Exercise Period.

     1B. EXERCISE PROCEDURE.

          (i) This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised when the
     Company has received all of the following items (the "EXERCISE TIME"):

               (a) a completed Exercise Agreement, as described in SECTION 1C
          below, executed by the Person exercising all or part of the purchase
          rights represented by this Warrant (the "Purchaser");

               (b) this Warrant;

               (c) if this Warrant is not registered in the name of the
          Purchaser, an Assignment or Assignments in the form set forth in
          EXHIBIT II hereto evidencing the assignment of this Warrant to the
          Purchaser, in which case the Registered Holder shall have complied
          with the provisions set forth in SECTION 10 hereof; and

               (d) either (1) immediately available funds in an amount equal to
          THE PRODUCT OF the Exercise Price, MULTIPLIED BY the number of shares
          of Common Stock being purchased upon such exercise (the "AGGREGATE
          EXERCISE PRICE"), (2) the surrender to the Company of debt or equity
          securities of the Company having a Market Price equal to the Aggregate
          Exercise Price of the Common Stock being purchased upon such exercise
          (provided that for purposes of this subparagraph, the Market Price of
          any note or other debt security or any preferred stock of the Company
          shall be deemed to be equal to the aggregate outstanding principal
          amount or liquidation value thereof plus all accrued and unpaid
          interest thereon or accrued or declared and unpaid dividends thereon)
          or (3) a written notice to the Company that the Purchaser is
          exercising the Warrant (or a portion thereof) by authorizing the
          Company to withhold from issuance a number of shares of Common Stock
          issuable upon such exercise of the Warrant which when multiplied by
          the Market Price of the Common Stock is equal to the Aggregate
          Exercise Price (and such withheld shares shall no longer be issuable
          under this Warrant).


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          (ii) Certificates for shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise
     of this Warrant shall be delivered by the Company to the Purchaser within
     fifteen (15) business days after the date of the Exercise Time. Unless this
     Warrant has expired or all of the purchase rights represented hereby have
     been exercised, the Company shall prepare a new Warrant, substantially
     identical hereto, representing the rights formerly represented by this
     Warrant which have not expired or been exercised and shall, within such
     five-day period, deliver such new Warrant to the Person designated for
     delivery in the Exercise Agreement.

          (iii) The Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant
     shall be deemed to have been issued to the Purchaser at the Exercise Time,
     and the Purchaser shall be deemed for all purposes to have become the
     record holder of such Common Stock at the Exercise Time.

          (iv) The issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon
     exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to the Registered
     Holder or the Purchaser for any issuance tax in respect thereof or other
     cost incurred by the Company in connection with such exercise and the
     related issuance of shares of Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock
     issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall, upon payment of the Exercise
     Price therefor, be fully paid and nonassessable and free from all liens and
     charges with respect to the issuance thereof.

          (v) The Company shall not close its books against the transfer of this
     Warrant or of any share of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the
     exercise of this Warrant in any manner which interferes with the timely
     exercise of this Warrant.

          (vi) The Company shall assist and cooperate with any Registered Holder
     or Purchaser required to make any governmental filings or obtain any
     governmental approvals prior to or in connection with any exercise of this
     Warrant (including, without limitation, making any filings required to be
     made by the Company).

          (vii) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if an exercise of
     any portion of this Warrant is to be made in connection with a registered
     public offering or the sale of the Company, the exercise of any portion of
     this Warrant may, at the election of the holder hereof, be conditioned upon
     the consummation of the public offering or sale of the Company in which
     case such exercise shall not be deemed to be effective until the
     consummation of such transaction.

          (viii) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out
     of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock solely for the
     purpose of issuance upon the exercise of the Warrant, such number of shares
     of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant. All shares of
     Common Stock which are so issuable shall, when issued, be duly and validly
     issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and
     charges. The Company shall take all such actions as may be necessary to
     assure that all such shares of Common Stock may be so issued without
     violation of any applicable law or governmental regulation or any
     requirements of any domestic securities exchange upon which shares of
     Common Stock may be listed (except for official notice of issuance which
     shall be immediately delivered by the Company upon each such issuance).


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<PAGE>

     The Company shall from time to time take all such action as may be
     necessary to assure that the par value of the unissued Common Stock
     acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant is at all times equal to or less
     than the Exercise Price. The Company shall not take any action which would
     cause the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to be
     less than the number of such shares required to be reserved hereunder for
     issuance upon exercise of the Warrants.

     1C. EXERCISE AGREEMENT. Upon any exercise of this Warrant, the Exercise
Agreement shall be substantially in the form set forth in EXHIBIT I hereto,
except that if the shares of Common Stock are not to be issued in the name of
the Person in whose name this Warrant is registered, the Exercise Agreement
shall also state the name of the Person to whom the certificates for the shares
of Common Stock are to be issued, and if the number of shares of Common Stock to
be issued does not include all the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder,
it shall also state the name of the Person to whom a new Warrant for the
unexercised portion of the rights hereunder is to be delivered. Such Exercise
Agreement shall be dated the actual date of execution thereof.

     Section 2. ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF SHARES. In order to
prevent dilution of the rights granted under this Warrant, the Exercise Price
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this SECTION 2
and the number of shares of Common Stock obtainable upon exercise of this
Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this
SECTION 2.

     2A. ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF SHARES UPON ISSUANCE OF
COMMON STOCK.

          (i) If and whenever the Company issues or sells, or in accordance with
     SECTION 2B is deemed to have issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock for
     a consideration per share less than (a) the Exercise Price in effect
     immediately prior to such time or (b) the Market Price of a share of the
     Common Stock determined immediately prior to such issuance or sale
     (treating any stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares or similar
     transaction effected contemporaneously with such issuance or sale as if it
     had been effected prior thereto), then immediately upon such issue or sale
     the Exercise Price shall be reduced to whichever of the following Exercise
     Prices is lower:

               (a) the Exercise Price determined by multiplying the Exercise
          Price in effect immediately prior to such issue or sale by a fraction,
          the numerator of which shall be the sum of (1) the number of shares of
          Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to such issue or
          sale multiplied by the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to
          such issue or sale, plus (2) the consideration, if any, received by
          the Company upon such issue or sale, and the denominator of which
          shall be the product derived by multiplying the Exercise Price in
          effect immediately prior to such issue or sale by the number of shares
          of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately after such issue or
          sale; or

               (b) the Exercise Price determined by multiplying the Exercise
          Price in effect immediately prior to such issue or sale by a fraction,
          the numerator of which shall be the sum of (1) the number of shares of
          Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to


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          such issue or sale multiplied by the Market Price of the Common Stock
          determined as of the date of such issuance of sale, plus (2) the
          consideration, if any, received by the Company upon such issue or
          sale, and the denominator of which shall be the product derived by
          multiplying the Market Price of the Common Stock by the number of
          shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately after such issue
          or sale.

          (ii) Upon each such adjustment of the Exercise Price hereunder, the
     number of shares of Warrant Stock acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant
     shall be increased to the number of shares determined by multiplying the
     Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment by the number
     of shares of Warrant Stock acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant
     immediately prior to such adjustment and dividing the product thereof by
     the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment.

          (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be no adjustment to
     the Exercise Price or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
     exercise of this Warrant with respect to the grants of options or the
     issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of options under the Company's
     1996 Stock Option Plan.

     2B. EFFECT ON EXERCISE PRICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. For purposes of determining
the adjusted Exercise Price under SECTION 2A, the following shall be applicable:

          (i) ISSUANCE OF RIGHTS OR OPTIONS. If the Company in any manner grants
     or sells any Options and the price per share for which Common Stock is
     issuable upon the exercise of such Options, or upon conversion or exchange
     of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of such Options, is
     less than (a) the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the time of
     the granting or sale of such Options or (b) the Market Price determined as
     of such time, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock
     issuable upon the exercise of such Options, or upon conversion or exchange
     of the total maximum amount of such Convertible Securities issuable upon
     the exercise of such Options, shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have
     been issued and sold by the Company at such time for such price per share.
     For purposes of this paragraph, the "price per share for which Common Stock
     is issuable upon exercise of such Options or upon conversion or exchange of
     such Convertible Securities" is determined by dividing (A) the total
     amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for
     the granting or sale of such Options, plus the minimum aggregate amount of
     additional consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise of all
     such Options, plus in the case of such Options which are exercisable into
     Convertible Securities, the minimum aggregate amount of additional
     consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the issuance or sale of
     such Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange thereof, by (B)
     the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
     of such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible
     Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options. No further
     adjustment of the Exercise Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of
     such Common Stock or of such Convertible Securities upon the exercise of
     such Options or upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock upon
     conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.


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<PAGE>

          (ii) ISSUANCE OF CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. If the Company in any manner
     issues or sells any Convertible Securities and the price per share for
     which Common Stock is issuable upon conversion or exchange thereof is less
     than (a) the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the time of such
     issue or sale or (b) the Market Price determined as of such time, then the
     maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or
     exchange of such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to be outstanding
     and to have been issued and sold by the Company for such price per share.
     For the purposes of this paragraph, the "price per share for which Common
     Stock is issuable upon conversion or exchange thereof" is determined by
     dividing (A) the total amount received or receivable by the Company as
     consideration for the issue or sale of such Convertible Securities, plus
     the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable
     to the Company upon the conversion or exchange thereof, by (B) the total
     maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or
     exchange of all such Convertible Securities. No further adjustment of the
     Exercise Price shall be made upon the actual issue of such Common Stock
     upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, and if any such
     issue or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise of any
     Options for which adjustments of the Exercise Price had been or are to be
     made pursuant to other provisions of this SECTION 2B, no further adjustment
     of the Exercise Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.

          (iii) CHANGE IN OPTION PRICE OR CONVERSION RATE. If the purchase price
     provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable
     upon the issue, conversion or exchange of any Convertible Securities, or
     the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or
     exchangeable for Common Stock changes at any time, the Exercise Price in
     effect at the time of such change shall be adjusted immediately to the
     Exercise Price which would have been in effect at such time had such
     Options or Convertible Securities still outstanding provided for such
     changed purchase price, additional consideration or changed conversion
     rate, as the case may be, at the time initially granted, issued or sold and
     the number of shares of Common Stock shall be correspondingly adjusted. For
     purposes of this SECTION 2B, if the terms of any Option or Convertible
     Security which was outstanding as of the date of issuance of this Warrant
     are changed in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence,
     then such Option or Convertible Security and the Common Stock deemed
     issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to
     have been issued as of the date of such change; provided that no such
     change shall at any time cause the Exercise Price hereunder to be
     increased.

          (iv) TREATMENT OF EXPIRED OPTIONS AND UNEXERCISED CONVERTIBLE
     SECURITIES. Upon the expiration of any Option or the termination of any
     right to convert or exchange any Convertible Securities issued at any time
     after the date of issuance without the exercise of such Option or right,
     the Exercise Price then in effect and the number of shares of Common Stock
     acquirable hereunder shall be adjusted immediately to the Exercise Price
     and the number of shares which would have been in effect at the time of
     such expiration or termination had such Option or Convertible Securities,
     to the extent outstanding immediately prior to such expiration or
     termination, never been issued.

          (v) CALCULATION OF CONSIDERATION RECEIVED. If any Common Stock,
     Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been
     issued or sold for cash, the consideration received therefor shall be
     deemed to be the net amount received by the Company therefor.


                                       6
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     In case any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or
     sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of the consideration
     other than cash received by the Company shall be the fair value of such
     consideration, except where such consideration consists of securities, in
     which case the amount of consideration received by the Company shall be the
     Market Price thereof as of the date of receipt. In case any Common Stock,
     Options or Convertible Securities are issued to the owners of the
     non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is
     the surviving entity the amount of consideration therefor shall be deemed
     to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the
     non-surviving entity as is attributable to such Common Stock, Options or
     Convertible Securities, as the case may be. The fair value of any
     consideration other than cash or securities shall be determined jointly by
     the Company and the Majority Warrant Holders. If such parties are unable to
     reach agreement within a reasonable period of time, such fair value shall
     be determined by an appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the
     Majority Warrant Holders. The determination of such appraiser shall be
     final and binding on the Company and the Registered Holders of the
     Warrants, and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be paid by the
     Company.

          (vi) INTEGRATED TRANSACTIONS. In case any Option is issued in
     connection with the issue or sale of other securities of the Company,
     together comprising one integrated transaction in which no specific
     consideration is allocated to such Options by the parties thereto, the
     Options shall be deemed to have been issued without consideration.

          (vii) TREASURY SHARES. The number of shares of Common Stock
     outstanding at any given time does not include shares owned or held by or
     for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary, and the disposition of
     any shares so owned or held shall be considered an issue or sale of Common
     Stock.

          (viii) RECORD DATE. If the Company takes a record of the holders of
     Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (A) to receive a dividend or
     other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or in Convertible
     Securities or (B) to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock, Options or
     Convertible Securities, then such record date shall be deemed to be the
     date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been
     issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such
     other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of
     subscription or purchase, as the case may be.

     2C. SUBDIVISION OR COMBINATION OF COMMON STOCK. If the Company at any time
subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise)
one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater
number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such
subdivision shall be proportionately reduced and the number of shares of Common
Stock obtainable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately
increased, and if the Company at any time combines (by reverse stock split or
otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such
combination shall be proportionately increased and the number of shares of
Common Stock obtainable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately
reduced.


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<PAGE>

     2D. REORGANIZATION, RECLASSIFICATION, CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE. Any
recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale
of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or other transaction, which
in each case is effected in such a way that the holders of Common Stock are
entitled to receive (either directly or upon subsequent liquidation) stock,
securities or assets with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock is referred
to herein as "ORGANIC CHANGE." Prior to the consummation of any Organic Change,
the Company shall make appropriate provision (in form and substance satisfactory
to the Registered Holders of the Warrants representing a majority of the Warrant
Stock obtainable upon exercise of all Warrants then outstanding) to insure that
each of the Registered Holders of the Warrants shall thereafter have the right
to acquire and receive, in lieu of or addition to (as the case may be) the
shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore acquirable and receivable upon
the exercise of such holder's Warrant, such shares of stock, securities or
assets as may be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for the number
of shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore acquirable and receivable upon
exercise of such holder's Warrant. In any such case, the Company shall make
appropriate provision (in form and substance satisfactory to the Registered
Holders of the Warrants representing a majority of the Warrant Stock obtainable
upon exercise of all Warrants then outstanding) with respect to such holders'
rights and interests to insure that the provisions of this SECTION 2 and
SECTIONS 3 and 4 hereof shall thereafter be applicable to the Warrants. In the
case of any such consolidation, merger or sale in which the successor entity or
purchasing entity is other than the Company, (a) if the value of the Common
Stock reflected by the terms of such consolidation, merger or sale is less than
the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or
sale, the Exercise Price shall be immediately reduced to the value for the
Common Stock reflected by the terms of such consolidation, merger or sale, and
(b) if the value of the Common Stock reflected by the terms of such
consolidation, merger or sale is less than the Exercise Price or the Market
Price in effect immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or sale, the
number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant shall
be immediately adjusted to the number equal to the product of (i) such number of
shares acquirable immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or sale
multiplied by (ii) the ratio equal to the greater of the Exercise Price and the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in effect immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger or sale divided by such value of the Common Stock as
reflected in the terms of such consolidation, merger or sale. The Company shall
not effect any such consolidation, merger or sale, unless prior to the
consummation thereof, the successor entity (if other than the Company) resulting
from consolidation or merger or the entity purchasing such assets assumes by
written instrument (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Majority Warrant Holders) the obligation to deliver to each such holder such
shares of stock, securities or assets as, in accordance with the foregoing
provisions, such holder may be entitled to acquire.

     2E. CERTAIN EVENTS. If any event occurs of the type contemplated by the
provisions of this SECTION 2 but not expressly provided for by such provisions
or definition (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation
rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the
Company's board of directors shall make an appropriate adjustment in the number
of shares of Common Stock obtainable upon exercise of this Warrant so as to
protect the rights of the holders of the Warrant; provided that no such
adjustment pursuant to


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the provisions of this SECTION 2 shall decrease the number of shares of Common
Stock obtainable as otherwise determined pursuant to this Warrant.

     2F. NOTICES.

          (i) Immediately upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price or the
     number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon exercise of this Warrant,
     the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Registered Holder,
     setting forth in reasonable detail and certifying the calculation of such
     adjustment.

          (ii) The Company shall give written notice to the Registered Holder at
     least 20 days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or
     takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the
     Common Stock, (B) with respect to any pro rata subscription offer to
     holders of Common Stock or (C) for determining rights to vote with respect
     to any Organic Change, dissolution or liquidation.

          (iii) The Company shall give written notice to the Registered Holders
     at least 20 days prior to the date on which any Organic Change, dissolution
     or liquidation shall take place.

     2G. NO AVOIDANCE. In the event that the Company shall enter into any
transaction for the purpose of avoiding the application of the provisions of
this SECTION 2, the benefits provided by such provisions shall nevertheless
apply and be preserved.

     Section 3. LIQUIDATING DIVIDENDS. If the Company declares or pays a
dividend upon the Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of earnings or
earned surplus (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied) except for a stock dividend payable in shares
of Common Stock (a "LIQUIDATING DIVIDEND"), then the Company shall pay to the
Registered Holder of this Warrant (or any Person designated by the Registered
Holder) at the time of payment thereof the Liquidating Dividend which would have
been paid to such Registered Holder on the Common Stock had this Warrant been
fully exercised immediately prior to the date on which a record is taken for
such Liquidating Dividend, or, if no record is taken, the date as of which the
record holders of Common Stock entitled to such dividends are to be determined;
provided that if the Liquidating Dividends consist of voting securities, the
Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the
Registered Holder of this Warrant, at such holder's request, Liquidating
Dividends consisting of non-voting securities (except as otherwise required by
law) which are otherwise identical to the Liquidating Dividends consisting of
voting securities and which non-voting securities are convertible into such
voting securities.

     Section 4. ADJUSTMENT OF NUMBER OF SHARES OF OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK
ISSUED PURSUANT TO WARRANTS. In connection with any increase effected pursuant
to SECTION 2 (other than an increase solely pursuant to SECTION 2C) in the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding Warrants,
the Company shall issue to each holder of Common Stock directly or indirectly
issued with respect to the Warrants (including shares issued in respect of such


                                       9
<PAGE>

stock in connection with events of the type described in SECTION 2C and shares
issued pursuant to this SECTION 4), the number of shares of Common Stock (in the
same class of common stock in respect of which such additional shares of stock
are issued), which, when added to the number of shares held by such holder would
equal the product of (a) the number of such shares held by such holder
immediately prior to such increase multiplied by (b) the ratio of (i) the number
of shares of Common Stock obtainable upon exercise of the Warrants immediately
after such increase, divided by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock
obtainable upon exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such increase.

     Section 5. CERTIFICATES, NOTICES AND CONSENTS.

     5A. CERTIFICATES. Upon the occurrence of any event requiring adjustments of
the number of shares subject to this Warrant pursuant to SECTION 2, the Company
shall mail to the holders of Underlying Common Stock (by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid) a certificate signed by the President or a Vice President
and by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, setting forth in reasonable
detail the events requiring the adjustment and the method by which such proposed
adjustment was calculated, specifying the adjusted number of shares subject to
this Warrant after giving effect to the proposed adjustment and the number of
shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to SECTION 4 hereof.

     5B. NOTICE. If the Company after the date hereof shall propose to: (i) pay
any dividend payable in stock to the holders of Common Stock generally or to
make any other distribution to the holders of Common Stock or any extraordinary
dividend directly or indirectly attributable to proceeds from the sale or other
disposition of a significant business or asset of the Company; (ii) offer to the
holders of Common Stock rights to subscribe for or purchase any additional
shares of any class of stock or any other rights or options; (iii) effect any
reclassification except the subdivision or combination of shares of outstanding
Common Stock; (iv) effect any Organic Change or sale transaction described in
SECTION 2D or the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; or (v)
engage in any diluting event not otherwise mentioned in this SECTION 5B, then,
in each such case, the Company shall mail (by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid) to the holders of Underlying Common Stock notice of such
proposed action, which shall specify the date on which the books of the Company
shall close, or a record date shall be established for determining holders of
Common Stock entitled to receive such stock dividends or other distribution of
such rights or options, or the date on which such reclassification,
reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, other disposition,
liquidation, dissolution or winding up shall take place or commence, as the case
may be, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of
record shall be entitled to receive securities or other property deliverable
upon such action, if any such date is to be fixed. Such notice shall be mailed,
in the case of any action covered by clauses (i), (ii) or (v) above, at least 10
days prior to the record date for determining holders of Common Stock for
purposes of receiving such payment or offer, and, in the case of any action
covered by clause (iii) above, at least 10 days prior to the date upon which
such action takes place, and, in the case of any action covered by clause (iv)
above, at least 30 days prior to the date upon which such action takes place and
at least 20 days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or
takes a record for determining rights to vote with respect to any event covered
by clause (iv) and 30 days prior to


                                       10
<PAGE>

any record date to determine holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such
securities or other property. The holder of Underlying Common Stock hereby
agrees to treat as confidential (unless otherwise required by law) all
information concerning proposed actions to be taken by the Company.

     5C. FAILURE AND DEFECTS. Failure to file any certificate or notice or to
mail any notice, or any defect in any certificate or notice, pursuant to this
SECTION 5, shall not affect the legality or validity of the adjustment of the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant pursuant to SECTION 2
or any proposed action to be taken by the Company.

     Section 6. PURCHASE RIGHTS. If at any time the Company grants, issues or
sells any options, convertible securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants,
securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of
Common Stock (the "PURCHASE RIGHTS"), then the Registered holder of this Warrant
(or any Person designated by the Registered Holder) shall be entitled to
acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate
Purchase Rights which such holder could have acquired if such holder had held
the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this
Warrant immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant,
issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the
date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be determined for the
grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights; provided that if the Purchase
Rights involve voting securities, the Company shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to make available to the Registered Holder of this Warrant, at such
holder's request, Purchase Rights involving non-voting securities (except as
otherwise required by law) which are otherwise identical to the Purchase Rights
involving voting securities and which non-voting securities are convertible or
exchangeable into such voting securities.

     Section 7. EVENTS OF NONCOMPLIANCE. If an Event of Noncompliance (as
defined the Series A Certificate of Designation) described in clauses (i), (ii)
or (v) of the definition thereof has occurred and continues of a period of 180
days, the Exercise Price shall be reduced immediately by 50% of the Exercise
Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment and the number of shares of
the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Series A Warrant shall equal two
times the number of shares issuable immediately prior to such adjustment (the
"FIRST ADJUSTMENT"). If such Event of Noncompliance exist for an aggregate of 90
days after the First Adjustment (whether or not such days are successive and
whether or not such days immediately follow the First Adjustment), the Exercise
Price shall be reduced immediately by 10% of what the Exercise Price would have
been immediately prior to such adjustment if the First Adjustment had not been
made (as such amount is appropriately adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions affecting the Common
Stock) (the "SECOND ADJUSTMENT"). If any Event of Noncompliance exists for an
aggregate of 90 days after the Second Adjustment (whether or not such days are
successive and whether or not such days immediately follow the Second
Adjustment), the Exercise Price shall be reduced immediately by 10% of what the
Exercise Price would have been immediately prior to such adjustment if the First
Adjustment had not been made (as such amount is appropriately adjusted for stock
splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions
affecting the Common Stock). In no event shall any Exercise Price adjustment,
once made, be rescinded.


                                       11
<PAGE>

     Section 8. DEFINITIONS. The following terms have meanings set forth below:

     "CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION" means the Certificate of Designation of
Preferred Stock, Series A, adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as
of September 29, 1998.

      "COMMON STOCK" means the Company's Common Stock, par value $1.00 per 
share, and any capital stock of any class of the Company hereafter authorized 
which is not limited to a fixed sum or percentage of par or stated value in 
respect to the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends or in 
the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of 
the Company; provided that with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable 
upon the exercise of this Warrant, if there is a change such that the securities
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are issued by an entityother than the 
Company or there is a change in the class of securities so issuable, then the 
term "Common Stock" shall mean one share of the security issuable upon exercise
of the Warrants if such security is issuable in shares, or shall mean the 
smallest unit in which such security is issuable if such security is not 
issuable in shares.

     "COMMON STOCK DEEMED OUTSTANDING" means, without duplication, at any given
time, (a) the number of shares of Common Stock actually outstanding at such
time, plus (b) the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding
pursuant to SECTIONS 2B(I) and 2B(II) hereof.

     "CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES" means any stock or securities directly or
indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock.

     "DATE OF ISSUANCE" means the Closing Date, regardless of the number of
times new certificates representing the unexpired and unexercised rights
formerly represented by this Warrant shall be issued.

     "MAJORITY WARRANT HOLDERS" at any time means the holders of a majority of
the Underlying Common Stock in existence at such time.

     "MARKET PRICE" means as to any security the average of the closing prices
of such security's sales on all domestic securities exchanges on which such
security may at the time be listed, or, if there have been no sales on any such
exchange on any day, the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices on
all such exchanges at the end of such day, or, if on any day such security is
not so listed, the average of the representative bid and asked prices quoted in
the NASDAQ System as of 4:00 P.M., New York time, on such day, or, if on any day
such security is not quoted in the NASDAQ System, the average of the highest bid
and lowest asked prices on such day in the domestic over-the-counter market as
reported by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated, or any similar
successor organization, in each such case averaged over a period of 31 days
consisting of the day as of which "Market Price" is being determined and the 30
consecutive business days prior to such day; provided that if such security is
listed on any domestic securities exchange the term "business days" as used in
this sentence means business days on which such exchange is open for trading. If
at any time such security is not listed on any domestic securities exchange or
quoted in


                                       12
<PAGE>

the NASDAQ System or the domestic over-the-counter market, the "Market Price"
shall be the fair value thereof determined jointly by the Company and the
Registered Holders of the Warrant representing a majority of the Common Stock
purchasable upon exercise of all of the Warrant then outstanding; provided that
if such parties are unable to reach agreement within a reasonable period of
time, such fair value shall be determined by an appraiser jointly selected by
the Company and the Registered Holders of the Warrant representing a majority of
the Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of all of the Warrant then
outstanding. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding on
the Company and the Registered Holders of the Warrant, and the fees and expenses
of such appraiser shall be paid by the Company.

     "OPTIONS" means any rights or options to subscribe for or purchase Common
Stock or Convertible Securities, including without limitation, the Warrants.

     "PERSON" means an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a
corporation, a limited liability company, a trust, an unincorporated
organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.

     "REGISTERED HOLDER" with respect to any Warrant means the Person who is
reflected as the holder thereof on the register maintained by the Company for
such purpose, and "REGISTERED HOLDERS" at any time means all Registered Holders
of the Warrants then outstanding.

     "UNDERLYING COMMON STOCK" means, without duplication, (i) the Common Stock
issued or issuable upon exercise of or with respect to the Warrants, (ii) any
shares of stock issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in
any of clause (i) above by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection
with a combination of stock, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
reorganization or otherwise pursuant to the Warrants or other sale or exchange
of all or substantially all of the stock of the Company. Any Person who holds
Warrants shall be deemed to be the holder of the Underlying Common Stock
obtainable upon exercise of the Warrants in connection with the transfer thereof
or otherwise regardless of any restriction or limitation on the exercise of the
Warrants. As to any particular shares of Underlying Common Stock, such shares
shall cease to be Underlying Common Stock when they have been (a) effectively
registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the
registration statement covering them or (b) distributed to the public through a
broker, dealer or market maker pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or
any similar provision then in force).

     Other capitalized terms used in this Warrant but not defined herein shall
have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

     Section 9. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. No provision hereof, in the absence of
affirmative action by the Registered Holder to purchase Common Stock, and no
enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Registered Holder shall
give rise to any liability of such holder for the Exercise Price of Common Stock
acquirable by exercise hereof or as a stockholder of the Company.


                                       13
<PAGE>

     Section 10. WARRANT TRANSFERABLE. Subject to the transfer conditions
referred to in the legend endorsed hereon, this Warrant and all rights hereunder
are transferable, in whole or in part, without charge to the Registered Holder,
upon surrender of this Warrant with a properly executed Assignment (in the form
of EXHIBIT II hereto) at the principal office of the Company.

     Section 11. WARRANT EXCHANGEABLE FOR DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS. This Warrant
is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Registered Holder at the
principal office of the Company, for new Warrant of like tenor representing in
the aggregate the purchase rights hereunder, and each of such new Warrant shall
represent such portion of such rights as is designated by the Registered Holder
at the time of such surrender. The date the Company initially issues this
Warrant shall be deemed to be the "Date of Issuance" hereof regardless of the
number of times new certificates representing the unexpired and unexercised
rights formerly represented by this Warrant shall be issued. All Warrant
representing portions of the rights hereunder are referred to herein as the
"WARRANT."

     Section 12. REPLACEMENT. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory
to the Company (an affidavit of the Registered Holder shall be satisfactory) of
the ownership and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate
evidencing this Warrant, and in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction,
upon receipt of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company (provided that
if the holder is a financial institution or other institutional investor its own
agreement shall be satisfactory), or, in the case of any such mutilation upon
surrender of such certificate, the Company shall (at its expense) execute and
deliver in lieu of such certificate a new certificate of like kind representing
the same rights represented by such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated
certificate and dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated
certificate.

     Section 13. NOTICES. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all
notices referred to in this Warrant shall be in writing and shall be delivered
personally, sent by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or
sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid
and shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered, sent or deposited in
the U.S. Mail (i) to the Company, at its principal executive offices and (ii) to
the Registered Holder of this Warrant, at such holder's address as it appears in
the records of the Company (unless otherwise indicated by any such holder).

     Section 14. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
provisions of the Warrant may be amended and the Company may take any action
herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by
it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the Majority Warrant
Holders; provided that no such action may change the Exercise Price of the
Warrant or the number of shares or class of stock obtainable upon exercise of
each Warrant without the written consent of the Registered Holders of Warrant
representing a majority of the shares of Underlying Common Stock.

     Section 15. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS; GOVERNING LAW. The descriptive headings
of the several Sections and paragraphs of this Warrant are inserted for
convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Warrant. The corporation
laws of the State of Texas shall govern all issues


                                       14
<PAGE>

concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders. All other
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of this Warrant shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Illinois,
without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule
(whether of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdictions) that would cause
the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of
Illinois.



                            *      *      *      *



                                       15
<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be signed and
attested by its duly authorized officers under its corporate seal and to be
dated the Date of Issuance hereof.


                                       ZIMMERMAN SIGN COMPANY


                                       By
                                          ------------------------------
                                       Its
                                           -----------------------------

[Corporate Seal]

Attest:


--------------------------------
         Secretary




                                       16
<PAGE>


                                                                       EXHIBIT I


                               EXERCISE AGREEMENT


To:      Dated:


     The undersigned, pursuant to the provisions set forth in the attached
Warrant (Certificate No. W-A-____), hereby agrees to subscribe for the purchase
of ______ shares of the Common Stock covered by such Warrant and makes payment
herewith in full therefor at the price per share provided by such Warrant.


                         Signature ____________________

                         Address ______________________






                                       17
<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT II

                                   ASSIGNMENT

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _____________________________ hereby sells, assigns and
transfers all of the rights of the undersigned under the attached Warrant
(Certificate No. W-A-__) with respect to the number of shares of the Common
Stock covered thereby set forth below, unto:

NAMES OF ASSIGNEE              ADDRESS           NO. OF SHARES
-----------------              -------           -------------




Dated:                           Signature
                                           -----------------------

                                           -----------------------

                                 Witness
                                           -----------------------



                                       18