A framework generates a thumbnail to represent a video on a webpage based on a prominent individual appearing in both the video and content of the webpage. Content of a webpage on which a video is to be posted is analyzed to identify individuals represented in the webpage content. Frames of the video are also analyzed to identify individuals in the video. A first individual that appears in both the webpage content and the video is selected based on a score for the first individual determined based on the webpage content. Subsequent to selecting the first individual, frames of the video that include the first individual are analyzed to select a first frame of the video that includes the first individual. A thumbnail to represent the video on the webpage is generated from the first frame, and the thumbnail is provided for presentation on the webpage to represent the video.