Wall Street Journal: Why your dryer sings to you
UC marketing professor/musician explains the phenomenon of serenading appliances
The Wall Street Journal turned to a University of Cincinnati marketing professor for help with understanding why modern appliances are singing to their owners.
James Kellaris, a composer, musician and professor of marketing at UC's Carl H. Lindner College of Business, is quoted throughout a WSJ listicle, "Why Your Dryer Sings to You: A Smart-Appliance Guide."
"Dishwashers, ovens and washing machines from Samsung, LG and Whirlpool are blasting cheery tunes for attention," reads the listicle's sub-headline. "What’s behind this odd phenomenon?"
The national news organization picked the perfect expert to turn to for the piece; Kellaris' research focuses on sonic branding. Kellaris is quoted throughout the article, including in the story's first paragraph.
“The little tunes appliances have started spitting out these days are known as audio logos,” Kellaris told the WSJ.
Later in the piece, Kellaris explained that audio logos can "can cut through the clutter of multiple devices and appliances calling out to us."
Featured image: Naomi Hébert/Unsplash
Powering discovery
The University of Cincinnati is a research-intensive, urban public university that proudly emboldens the next generation of research pioneers. UC's world-renowned researchers and scholars collaborate across disciplines, colleges and campuses as they address the most pressing challenges throughout the world and in our communities.
Related Stories
Pediatric visits can encourage parents to quit smoking
March 18, 2026
Medscape turns to UC human services Professor Ashley Merianos for expert opinion about using pediatric visits to encourage parents to quit smoking.
UC summer program gives high school students hands-on research experience
March 18, 2026
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine is expanding its Medical Sciences Summer Institute (MSSI) this year with a new medical informatics track.
How the University of Cincinnati co-op program is shaping the future of work at SXSW
March 17, 2026
The University of Cincinnati served as a 2026 Workplace Track sponsor at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Innovation Conference March 12-18 in Austin, Texas, showcasing how co-op is redesigning the future of work.