Click here to view an 11-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 301 media agencies and brands commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®. Interviews took place April 1-13, 2026 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 April 2026 among 1,601 adults 18+. These results were compared to the same questions asked by Nielsen and MARU/Matchbox over the past five years.

Here are the key findings:

• 64% of marketers and media agencies say they commute most or all days, an all-time high since 2022; 28% indicate they commute some days
• 85% of average Americans are commuting to work, slightly less than marketers and media agencies (92%)

• 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 83% share, according to Edison Research’s Q1 2026 “Share of Ear” report
• Average Americans are clocking slightly more days at work (4.7) compared to the advertising industry (4.4)
• 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:

64% of marketers and media agencies say they commute most or all days, an all-time high since 2022

In April 2026, 64% of marketers and agencies were working in the office “all/most days,” a nearly 3X increase from 22% in April 2022. The proportion who only work from home dropped from 37% in April 2022 to 7% in April 2026.

28% of media agencies and brands say they are “commuting to work some days”, a drop from 2025 (32%).  Overall, 92% of buy-side executives are commuting to the office, up from 63% in April 2022.

85% of average Americans are commuting to work, slightly less than marketers and media agencies (92%)

Among average Americans who commuted to work prior to the pandemic, the April 2026 Quantilope study found 85% 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 April 2026, marketers/agencies are more likely to be commuting to a workplace (+7 points).

AM/FM radio’s share of ad-supported audio in the car has been consistently dominant at an 83% share, according to Edison Research’s Q1 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 Q1 2026 study, AM/FM’s share of ad-supported listening in a car or truck was a dominant 83% 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 4.4 days at the office

Versus April 2025, those in the advertising business working five days at the office increased from 50% to 53%. Currently, marketers and media agencies report spending 4.4 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 (4.4)

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

73% of marketers and agencies have resumed in-person media vendor meetings; 76% have resumed in-person conferences and events

Key findings:

• 64% of marketers and media agencies say they commute most or all days, an all-time high since 2022; 28% indicate they commute some days
• 85% of average Americans are commuting to work, slightly less than marketers and media agencies (92%)

• 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 83% share, according to Edison Research’s Q1 2026 “Share of Ear” report
• Average Americans are clocking slightly more days at work (4.7) compared to the advertising industry (4.4)
• 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 an 11-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.