Click here to view a 9-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 303 media agencies and brands commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®. Interviews took place October 1-11, 2025 and the results were compared to eight 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 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.

The new studies reveal Americans are more likely to commute outside the home than marketers and media agencies.

Here are the key findings:

• Over half of marketers and media agencies say they commute most or all days; 85% commute to work
• 95% of average Americans are commuting to work, more than marketers and media agencies (85%)

• 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 85% share, according to Edison Research’s Q2 2025 “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

Here are the details:

Over half of marketers and media agencies say they commute most or all days

In October 2025, 53% of marketers and agencies were working in the office “all/most days,” a 2.4X increase from 22% in April 2022. The proportion who only work from home dropped from 37% in April 2022 to 15% in October 2025.

32% of media agencies and brands say they are “commuting to work some days.” Overall, 85% of buy-side executives are commuting to the office, up from 63% in April 2022.

95% of average Americans are commuting to work, more than marketers/agencies (85%)

Among average Americans who commuted to work prior to the pandemic, the October 2025 Quantilope study found 95% are currently working outside of the home, a post-pandemic high.

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 2025, average Americans are more likely to be commuting (+10 points).

AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 85% share, according to Edison Research’s Q2 2025 “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 Q2 2025 study, AM/FM’s share of ad-supported listening in a car or truck was a dominant 85% 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 54%, a post-pandemic high. Currently, marketers and media agencies report spending 4.2 days in the office, holding steady from October 2024 and April 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

67% of marketers and agencies have resumed in-person media vendor meetings; 69% have resumed in-person conferences and events

Key findings:

• Over half of marketers and media agencies say they commute most or all days; 85% commute to work
• 95% of average Americans are commuting to work, more than marketers and media agencies (85%)

• 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 85% share, according to Edison Research’s Q2 2025 “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

Click here to view a 9-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.