Click here to view a 10-minute video of the key findings.

What is the latest on the state of media agency and marketer commuting patterns? What is the latest on the average American commute?

Marketers and media agencies are increasing their commutes and spending more days at the office, according to a brand-new Advertiser Perceptions study of 304 media agencies and brands commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®. Interviews took place October 1-13, 2026 and the results were compared to nine prior Advertiser Perceptions studies conducted since April 2022.

The Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® also commissioned a Quantilope national consumer study to examine the commuting habits of average Americans. The nationally representative study was also conducted October 2026 among 1,600 adults 18+. These results were compared to the same questions over a five-year trend.

Here are the key findings:

• 59% of marketers and media agencies say they commute to their workplaces most or all days; 32% indicate they only commute some days
• 87% of average Americans are commuting to work, slightly less than marketers and media agencies (91% commute some or all days)

• Since AM/FM radio is the “soundtrack of the American worker,” it is the ideal media platform for advertisers
• AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 81% share, according to Edison Research’s Q3 2026 “Share of Ear” report
• Average Americans are clocking slightly more days at work (4.7) compared to the advertising industry (4.2)
• Marketers/agencies and average Americans are most likely to work in the office Monday through Thursday with Friday seeing the lowest % of in-office work for both groups

Here are the details:

59% of marketers and media agencies say they commute most or all days

In October 2026, 59% of marketers and agencies were working in the office “all/most days,” a 2.5X increase from 22% in April 2022. The proportion who only work from home dropped from 37% in April 2022 to 8% in April 2026.

Buy side executives working in office “all/most” days in October 2026 are down slightly from April 2026 (64% to 59%) but up over the same time last year (53% to 59%).

32% of media agencies and brands say they are “commuting to work some days.” Overall, 91% of buy-side executives are commuting to the office, up from 63% in April 2022.

In 2026, “brands and media agencies who only work from home” is in the single digits (7% April 2026, 8% October 2026). This is the first year the “only work from home” segment has been in single digits since the pandemic. The 8% remote workers segment mirrors pre-pandemic levels.

87% of average Americans are commuting to work, slightly less than marketers and media agencies (91%)

Among average Americans who commuted to work prior to the pandemic, the October 2026 Quantilope study found 87% are currently working outside of the home.

In early 2022, average Americans were much more likely (+23 points) to be working outside the home versus those in the media and marketing industry. In Spring 2024, the “back to the office” gap between average Americans and brands/media agencies converged. As of October 2026, marketers/agencies are more likely to be commuting to a workplace (+4 points).

AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 81% share, according to Edison Research’s Q3 2026 “Share of Ear” report

Edison Research’s quarterly “Share of Ear” study is the authoritative examination of time spent with audio in America. Over the last decade, Edison Research has surveyed 4,000 Americans annually to measure daily reach and time spent for all forms of audio.

In the Q3 2026 study, AM/FM’s share of ad-supported listening in a car or truck was a dominant 81% share.

For marketers and media agencies the message is clear: Out-of-home media audiences have soared as billboards, digital signage, and AM/FM radio offer mass reach at full pre-pandemic levels.

The return-to-work trend has less of an impact on digital audio such as Spotify, Pandora, and podcasts, which are primarily consumed at home.

Marketers and media agencies clock 4.2 days at the office

51% of those in the advertising business are working five days at the office. Currently, marketers and media agencies report spending 4.2 days in the office, holding steady year over year from October 2025.

Average Americans are clocking more days at work (4.7) compared to the advertising industry (4.2)

Compared to ad industry workers, typical Americans are more likely to be exposed to outdoor ads and AM/FM radio commercials since they commute more days.

Marketers/agencies and average Americans are most likely to work in the office Monday through Thursday with Friday seeing the lowest weekday % of in-office work for both groups

80% of marketers and agencies have resumed in-person media vendor meetings; 81% have resumed in-person conferences and events

Key findings:

• 59% of marketers and media agencies say they commute to their workplaces most or all days; 32% indicate they only commute some days
• 87% of average Americans are commuting to work, slightly less than marketers and media agencies (91% commute some or all days)

• Since AM/FM radio is the “soundtrack of the American worker,” it is the ideal media platform for advertisers
• AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 81% share, according to Edison Research’s Q3 2026 “Share of Ear” report
• Average Americans are clocking slightly more days at work (4.7) compared to the advertising industry (4.2)
• Marketers/agencies and average Americans are most likely to work in the office Monday through Thursday with Friday seeing the lowest % of in-office work for both groups

Click here to view a 10-minute video of the key findings.

Pierre Bouvard is Chief Insights Officer of the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group^®.

Contact the Insights team at CorpMarketing@westwoodone.com.