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
‘GangTok’: Study provides insights about the presence of gang culture on Tiktok
May 12, 2026
John Leverso, an assistant professor in the UC School of Criminal Justice, is lead author of the research, 'GangTok: Street gang content, culture, and roleplay on TikTok' published recently in Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal.
CCM welcomes visiting arts administration faculty member Quanice G. Floyd
May 12, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Quanice G. Floyd, EdD, as CCM's new Visiting Professor of Arts Administration. Her faculty appointment officially begins on June 1, 2026, and Floyd will work to develop and launch a new online degree in Arts Administration at CCM.
Is there anything to fear from Hantavirus?
May 12, 2026
The University of Cincinnati's Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, professor of clinical medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine at the College of Medicine, recently appeared on Scott Sloan's show on 700 WLW to share facts surrounding Hantavirus.