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
Cincinnati records record rainfall in weekend deluge
July 21, 2026
The Cincinnati Enquirer talks to UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Associate Professor Patrick Ray for context about a July 17 rainstorm that dumped a record amount of rain on parts of Cincinnati.
Putting preschool into perspective
July 20, 2026
Preschool and childcare can be difficult to navigate for parents, as Spectrum News 1 Ohio recently reported. Waitlists are long, and factors like cost, location and transportation can limit options. According to a recent study published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, only 41% of 3- to 4-year-olds in Ohio were enrolled in preschool between 2020 and 2024 — a 4% decrease from pre-pandemic numbers. For University of Cincinnati early childhood education faculty member Chad Nunamaker, that statistic has caveats.
Ticks that survive pesticides can withstand colder winters
July 17, 2026
Ticks that survive less-than-lethal doses of pesticide are able to withstand dangerous cold, which could help them expand their range farther north, according to researchers at the University of Cincinnati and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.