Welcome to the Future of Digital Experiences
Consumers expect more than just generic interactions—they demand experiences tailored to their preferences, behaviors, and needs. This is where data-driven personalization plays, helping businesses deliver hyper-relevant content, recommendations, and experiences at scale. To explore the power of personalization, Joseph Jude, CTO at Net Solutions, spoke with Richard Beck, a leading strategist in digital transformation, for an insightful conversation in our recent Webinar. Together, they discussed why personalization matters, how AI and machine learning are revolutionizing it, the challenges businesses face, and best practices for getting it right.
Let’s dive into their discussion!
Joseph Jude: Hello, everyone! Thanks for joining us today. I’m Joseph Jude, Chief Technology Officer at Net Solutions. I have spent nearly three decades helping brands build cutting-edge digital experiences, and today, we’re diving into a topic that is shaping the future of digital commerce: data-driven personalization.
Consumers no longer want generic, one-size-fits-all content. They expect tailored, relevant experiences that match their preferences and behaviors. Businesses that are still relying on a static content approach are already falling behind.
That’s exactly what we’re covering in today’s webinar: “Data-Driven Personalization 101: Building a Winning Strategy with Contentful CMS.” We’re unpacking how to use structured content, AI, and automation to deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences.
To help us navigate this, I’m thrilled to introduce Richard Beck.
Richard is a seasoned product leader with a track record of driving over $33 million in net new revenue and scaling product portfolios by 135%. He specializes in AI-driven personalization, composable content systems, and B2B SaaS growth—so we are in for an insightful session.
Richard, the stage is yours!
What is Personalization?
Richard Beck: Thanks, Joseph! I’m really excited to be here. Personalization is one of my favorite topics, and right now, we are at the edge of a massive shift in the digital experience world.
So, let’s start with the basics: what is personalization?
If you asked someone ten years ago, they’d say, “Just put ‘Hi, Richard’ at the top of an email, and you’re done.” But that’s not what we mean today.
Personalization today is about delivering the right content, to the right person, at the right time, based on their journey.
Some examples:
- B2B Case (Autodesk): If an architect visits Autodesk’s website, they should see architecture-focused solutions, case studies, and guides—not generic content.
- B2C Case (E-Commerce): If a man visits an apparel site, the homepage should automatically show men’s clothing instead of defaulting to generic product categories.
This kind of personalization removes friction, enhances engagement, and ultimately drives revenue.
Why Should You Care About Personalization?
Joseph Jude: That makes sense, Richard. But let’s dig deeper—why is personalization so important right now?
Richard Beck: Great question. And let’s look at the data because numbers never lie.
Customer Expectations Have Changed:
- 61% of customers feel like they are just a number—businesses fail to make customers feel valued. (Salesforce)
- 71% of customers expect personalized experiences. (McKinsey)
- 52% of customers report higher satisfaction with personalized content.
Businesses Are Responding:
- 40% of retail executives are increasing investments in personalization in 2025. (Deloitte)
- Companies that implement personalization see a 25% revenue uplift. (McKinsey)
- At Autodesk, personalization drives a 27% increase in add-to-cart rates.
Here’s the reality—if you’re not doing personalization, your competitors will. Customers expect it, and businesses that don’t embrace it risk getting left behind.
Why is Personalization Set for Growth?
Joseph Jude: Okay, we get that personalization is important. But why is it such a big deal right now?
Richard Beck: Because technology is finally catching up to the dream.
Here’s what’s changed:
1. AI & Automation Are Transforming Content Creation
- A study from the University of Vienna finds that AI-assisted writers complete content 8X faster than manual writing.
- AI tools like ChatGPT allow marketers to scale content production without increasing headcount.
2. Composable Content Systems Are Taking Over
- Traditional CMS platforms (like WordPress) were never built for dynamic personalization.
- Headless and composable CMS solutions like Contentful allow brands to:
- Create modular, reusable content components
- Dynamically personalize content based on user behavior
- Integrate seamlessly with AI-powered engines like Ninetailed
3. Better Customer Data & Smarter Analytics
- Companies now track real-time behavior, customer intent, and engagement signals—helping them predict customer needs before they even realize it.
What Data Powers Personalization?
Joseph Jude: This is great. But let’s talk about the fuel behind personalization—what data do businesses actually need?
Richard Beck: Excellent question! Personalization is only as good as the data behind it.
The key data types:
- First-Party Data – Customer logins, past purchases, email engagement
- Third-Party Data – IP tracking, firmographics, 6sense/Demandbase insights
- Behavioral Data – Tracks clicks, page views, time spent, etc.
Example: At Autodesk, we use an interactive tab to let visitors select their job role. If they pick “Civil Engineer,” we instantly personalize their content journey—showing relevant case studies, features, and products.
Measuring Success: How Do You Know If It’s Working?
Joseph Jude: So, let’s say a business starts implementing personalization—how do they measure success?
Richard Beck: Great question, Joseph! Here’s what to track:
E-Commerce Metrics:
- Increased Add-to-Cart Rates – At Autodesk, we see a 27% increase.
- Higher Average Revenue per User (ARPU).
- Faster Time-to-Buy – Personalization helps reduce hesitation and speeds up conversions.
Content Engagement Metrics:
- More page views, longer time on page.
- Higher blog-to-product conversion rates.
How Can Contentful Help?
Joseph Jude: Now, let’s bring it all together—how does Contentful make this easier for businesses?
Richard Beck: Contentful is built for personalization. Unlike traditional CMS platforms, Contentful allows:
- Modular content components (so content can be mixed and matched dynamically).
- AI-powered personalization with Ninetailed.
- Seamless integrations with personalization engines.
Example: E-Commerce Use Case
- A fashion retailer using Contentful can:
- Personalize homepage banners based on browsing history.
- Recommend complementary products in real-time.
- Ensure only in-stock items appear in personalized recommendations.
Final Takeaways: Start Personalizing Today
Personalization isn’t just a trend—it’s the future.
- AI and automation make personalization easier than ever.
- Composable content systems like Contentful enable dynamic, scalable personalization.
- Companies that don’t embrace personalization risk getting left behind.
Your Next Steps
- Evaluate your current CMS—can it handle personalization?
- Start small—find one area where personalization can improve engagement.
- Leverage AI tools—use automation to scale personalized content efficiently.
- Measure and optimize—track your metrics and keep refining your strategy.
Ready to build personalized experiences? Let’s make it happen.
MARCH 27th, 2025
12:00PM EST
LIVE WEBINAR