Stop Personalizing Ads That Don't Work
- Pam Radford
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
AI makes endless variations simple - values make them effective.
Picture this: you’re watching two ads for the same running shoes.
One says, “Still thinking about these shoes?”
The other says, “Run for the freedom you crave.”
Which one makes you lace up?
That’s the difference between personalization based on behavior—and personalization rooted in values.
Marketers have spent decades chasing the personalization grail: demographics, browsing signals, purchase history. Now, with generative AI (genAI), you can crank out video ad variations at lightning speed. But here’s the truth: the most powerful form of personalization isn’t about what your customers do. It’s about what they believe.
And today, platforms like Lifemind make it possible to identify and target the values that actually drive purchase decisions.
The State of AI-Powered Video Ads
Marketers are already leaning on genAI to crank out creative:
42% of U.S. marketers use genAI for video ads to customize by audience (IAB, March 2025).
By 2026, nearly 40% of all video ads will use genAI in some form (IAB, July 2025).
49% of marketers now use AI daily for image and video creation (Canva, January 2025).
42% of marketers are personalizing video ads with AI—but most are personalizing the wrong way.
Personalization is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s table stakes. The real question is: what kind of personalization actually changes minds and wallets?
Why Values Beat Behavior
Think about your own choices. You don’t buy a product just because an algorithm “noticed” you clicked on it twice. You buy because it means something:
A brand shares your commitment to sustainability.
A message aligns with your sense of family, freedom, or progress.
A product reflects your generational identity or regional pride.
Values run deeper than clicks—and they last longer, too.
McKinsey found that companies aligning with customer values grow faster and more profitably than their peers (The State of Consumer Sentiment 2024). Harvard Business Review reports that “identity-based connections” are the strongest drivers of long-term loyalty (The New Science of Customer Emotions).
Behavior gets attention. Values earn trust.
A Real-World Example: Online Learning
Imagine an online language-learning company. Using Lifemind segmentation, they uncover three high-value customer segments—each with different motivations and values. Instead of serving everyone the same ad, they tailor creative to resonate with what matters most to each group:
Segment 1: Independence & Adventure (E-RW-GX-GY)
Video theme: “Push Boundaries, Explore More”
Message: “A new language isn’t just about words—it’s about unlocking new experiences. Learn on your terms, and open the door to adventure.”
Segment 2: Trust & Proven Results (E-AA-GX-GY)
Video theme: “Smarter Learning, Stronger Results”
Message: “Backed by experts, designed for real-world conversations. Every lesson moves you closer to confidence.”
Segment 3: Cultural Connection & Opportunity (E-AS-GX-GY)
Video theme: “Turn Learning into Opportunity”
Message: “Language is more than words—it’s connection, identity, and growth. Build skills that unlock culture and career.”
Each video ad would be targeted by zip code, ensuring the right creative reaches the right audience in their region. And because Lifemind segments are portable across channels, the same message tests apply anywhere ZIP-level targeting is possible—direct mail, social, display, email, out of home, even CTV and retail media.
This approach doesn’t just personalize. It creates resonance—the kind of relevance that sticks, builds trust, and inspires action.
How Lifemind Unlocks Values-Based Targeting
Until now, targeting customers by values was either impossible, expensive, or required sensitive personal data. Lifemind changes that:
No PII needed — We don’t touch purchase history or personal identifiers.
189 unique worldview segments — Built from life outlook, regional, and generational values.
Cross-channel flexibility — Use the same segments anywhere geo-targeting is possible: social, display, CTV, direct mail.
Fast and affordable — Download segments in minutes and start testing creative that truly resonates.
With Lifemind, your video ads don’t just reach people. They matter to people.
What This Means for Marketers
For DTC brands and the agencies that serve them, the opportunity is massive:
Creative efficiency: Pair genAI versioning with Lifemind segments to tailor creative fast.
Smarter targeting: Invest in audiences that aren’t just reachable—they’re receptive.
Faster learning: Cross-channel consistency means insights travel with you, accelerating optimization.
In short: stop guessing which message will land. Start knowing.
The Bottom Line
GenAI is transforming how we make ads. But the brands that win won’t just spin up more versions of the same story. They’ll tell the right story to the right people—rooted in shared values.
Your audience doesn’t just want personalization. They want resonance. Start targeting by values today. Explore Lifemind.
