The Media Lab vs WPP Media:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, WPP Media had more branded searches than The Media Lab among media agencies in New Zealand. WPP Media had about 560 branded searches, while The Media Lab had 150. WPP Media made up 20.3% of all media agency searches we track, and The Media Lab accounted for 5.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about media agencies, The Media Lab appeared in two of the four answers and WPP Media in none.
Who do people search for more?
WPP Media, about 4 searches for every 1 for The Media Lab
Who does AI mention more?
The Media Lab, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, WPP Media in 0
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Top media agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, The Media Lab was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. WPP Media did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Together1st
PHD2nd- The Media Lab3rd
MBM4th
OMD5th
dentsu–- WPP Media–
Spark Foundry–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PHD3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Together3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- The Media Lab2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- MBM2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- OMD1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- dentsu0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- WPP Media0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Spark Foundry0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about media agencies
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which media agency should I hire in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best media agencies in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best media agency in New Zealand for advertising campaigns?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“media agencies nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“advertising agency nz”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is The Media Lab or WPP Media more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for The Media Lab and WPP Media by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight media agencies we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for WPP Media, The Media Lab. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | dentsu | PHD | WPP Media | The Media Lab | Together | Spark Foundry | MBM | OMD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 33.9% | 30.6% | 21.1% | 4.9% | 2.6% | 3% | 1.6% | 2.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 33.5% | 33.5% | 17.6% | 4.3% | 4.7% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 3.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.6% | 26.4% | 19.3% | 5.1% | 3% | 2.5% | 3% | 2% |
| Jan 2026 | 37.4% | 26.8% | 18.7% | 5.1% | 3% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 3% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.9% | 31.2% | 21% | 3.1% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.4% | 28.4% | 19.8% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 3.4% | 2.2% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.2% | 25.9% | 23.1% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 33.1% | 27.4% | 23.8% | 4.3% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.1% | 28.7% | 20.4% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 2.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.9% | 27.9% | 19.3% | 5.4% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.9% | 31.3% | 18.1% | 5.9% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 35.5% | 28.3% | 20.3% | 5.4% | 4% | 2.5% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
How has the The Media Lab and WPP Media comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- WPP Media was ahead of The Media Lab in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, The Media Lab’s share of searches among media agencies in New Zealand moved from 4.9% to 5.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 150.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WPP Media’s share of searches among media agencies in New Zealand moved from 21.1% to 20.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 640 to 560.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand media agencies in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, WPP Media gained share of searches among media agencies in New Zealand, from 18.1% to 20.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
7 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using The Media Lab’s and WPP Media’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
The Media Lab
2 branded search terms
- The Media Lab
- themedialab
WPP Media
5 branded search terms
- essencemediacom
- groupm
- wpp media
- wpp media agencies
- wpp media agency
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