Marketers Return to Office, But Trail Average Americans

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, November 3, 2025 | 2:50pm CT

Cumulus Media | Westwood One

Marketers and media agencies are spending more time back in the office, though they remain behind the commuting habits of most Americans, according to a new Advertiser Perceptions study commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group.

The national survey of 303 media agencies and brands found that 85% of buy-side executives are commuting to the office -- a sharp rise from 63% in April 2022. More than half (53%) now say they work in the office most or all days, up from just 22% in 2022, while those working entirely from home have fallen to 15%.

By comparison, a separate Quantilope national study of 1,600 U.S. adults found that 95% of average Americans are now commuting to work, a post-pandemic high. The general workforce is also spending more days on site, averaging 4.7 days per week versus 4.2 among marketers and media professionals.

The research shows most in both groups are in the office Monday through Thursday, with Friday marking the lowest in-office day. In-person business activity has also rebounded - 67% of marketers and agencies have resumed face-to-face vendor meetings, and 69% are again attending conferences and events.

Cumulus Media | Westwood One notes that with Americans back on the road, AM/FM radio remains the "soundtrack of the American worker." Edison Research's Q2 2025 "Share of Ear" report found AM/FM radio continues to dominate ad-supported in-car listening with an 85% share - a level that has remained steady for nearly a decade.

As more commuters return, the report emphasizes that out-of-home advertising - including billboards, digital signage, and AM/FM radio - continues to deliver the mass reach advertisers relied on before the pandemic.

Read the entire blog post here.