Personification is a stylistic device where inanimate objects are given human qualities. It is a form of analogy, where one thing is compared to another thing (or person). This allows the reader to think differently about the characteristics or traits of the object or person. 

A good example is this Virgin Radio ad with the copy that reads: 'Give your radio a reason to live.' The radio is compared to a suicidal person. It looks sad and lonely on the edge of the platform, ready to jump before the metro or train and kill itself. The target audience is meant to feel sympathy for their radio, like they would feel sympathy for a suicidal person. Logic would tell us that Virgin provides up-beat music to cheer up this radio and yours. This line of logic only works, however, if you believe that radios can be cheered up.