Click here to view a 7-minute video of the key findings.

Click here to download a PDF of the slides.

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 305 media agencies and brands commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®. Interviews took place April 1-8, 2025 and the results were compared to seven Advertiser Perceptions studies conducted every six months beginning in April 2022.

The Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® also commissioned a Quantilope consumer study to examine the commuting habits of average Americans. The nationally representative study was also conducted April 2025 among 1,600 adults 18+. These results were compared to the same questions asked by Nielsen and MARU/Matchbox over the past five years.

Despite the marketing industry historically working from home more than average Americans, the new studies reveal the two groups are now mostly aligned with their commutes.

Here are the key findings:

• The proportion of marketers and media agencies who say they commute most or all days hits a record post-pandemic high of 57%
• 85% of average Americans are commuting to work, virtually the same as marketers/agencies

• AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 86% share, according to Edison Research’s Q4 2024 “Share of Ear” report
• Average Americans are clocking 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
• 74% of marketers and agencies have resumed in-person media vendor meetings; 76% have resumed in-person conferences and events; Both are record post-pandemic highs

Here are the details:

The proportion of marketers and media agencies who say they commute most or all days hits a record post-pandemic high of 57%

In April 2025, 57% of marketers and agencies were working in the office “all/most days,” a 2.6X increase from 22% in April 2022. The proportion who only work from home dropped from 37% in April 2022 to 11% in April 2025, a post-pandemic low.

32% of media agencies and brands say they are “commuting to work some days.” Overall, 89% of buy-side executives are commuting to the office, up from 63% in April 2022.

85% of average Americans are commuting to work, virtually the same as marketers/agencies

Among average Americans who commuted to work prior to the pandemic, the April 2025 Quantilope study found 85% are currently working outside of the home. This is consistent with the last two years. October 2023 was the outlier when 94% indicated they commuted to work.

The “back to the office” gap between average Americans and brands/media agencies converged a year ago. 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. As of April 2024, an equal proportion of advertising industry and everyday Americans commute to work.

AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 86% share, according to Edison Research’s Q4 2024 “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 Q4 2024 study, AM/FM’s share of ad-supported listening in a car or truck was a dominant 86% share.

Over the last eight years, AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported in-car listening has been steady in the mid to high 80s.

For marketers and media agencies the message is clear: Out-of-home media audiences have roared back 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

Versus October 2024, those in the advertising business working five days at the office increased from 45% to 50% a post pandemic high. Currently, marketers and media agencies report spending 4.2 days in the office, up from 3.8 days in April 2023.

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

74% of marketers and agencies have resumed in-person media vendor meetings a big jump from October 2024; 76% have resumed in-person conferences and events, also a surge from last October

Key findings:

• The proportion of marketers and media agencies who say they commute most or all days hits a record post-pandemic high of 57%
• 85% of average Americans are commuting to work, virtually the same as marketers/agencies

• AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 86% share, according to Edison Research’s Q4 2024 “Share of Ear” report
• Average Americans are clocking 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
• 74% of marketers and agencies have resumed in-person media vendor meetings; 76% have resumed in-person conferences and events; Both are record post-pandemic highs

Click here to view a 7-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.