Marketers and media agencies are commuting at near-record rates, closely mirroring the patterns of average American workers, according to new industry data.
A combined 92% of marketers and agency professionals are now commuting to work at least some days, with 64% doing so most or all days—the highest level recorded since tracking began in 2022. Another 28% commute on some days. Among average Americans, 85% are commuting to work, reflecting a strong return to in-person routines across both groups.
The findings come from this week’s Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog by Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard. The post draws on recent studies from Advertiser Perceptions and Quantilope to examine how commuting behaviors align between advertising professionals and the broader U.S. workforce.
In-office frequency: Advertising industry professionals average 4.4 days working in the office per week, while average Americans clock slightly more at 4.7 days.
Weekly rhythm: Both groups show the strongest in-office presence Monday through Thursday. Friday registers the lowest percentage of in-office work for marketers, agencies, and average Americans alike.These commuting trends position AM/FM radio as a particularly powerful medium for reaching both audiences. As the “soundtrack of the American worker,” radio travels with commuters in their cars during peak drive times, delivering consistent exposure when attention is focused on the road.
Radio’s Dominant Position in the Car
According to Edison Research’s Q1 2026 “Share of Ear” report, AM/FM radio maintains an commanding 83% share of all ad-supported audio listened to in vehicles. This dominance has held steady, making radio an ideal platform for advertisers seeking to connect with decision-makers in marketing and media as well as the general working population.
The alignment between industry professionals and average Americans suggests that messaging delivered via car radio can efficiently reach both advertiser-side audiences and everyday consumers during their daily commutes.
For the complete analysis, including deeper insights and charts, read the full blog post by Pierre Bouvard, Chief Insights Officer at Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®.