Alon Labock Portfolio
ALON
About Alon Labock Portfolio
Hi, I’m Alon Labock! I’m passionate about journalism, media advocacy, and diplomacy. My work focuses on using storytelling as a tool to inform, engage, and build bridges across cultures. Currently pursuing a degree in Interactive Media at the University of Miami with minors in Strategic Communication and Judaic Studies, I have dedicated my studies to understanding the power of media in shaping public perception and international discourse.
I gained hands-on experience at i24news, where I worked on news production and media strategy, contributing to Israeli diplomatic efforts and international journalism. This experience strengthened my ability to craft impactful narratives, navigate complex geopolitical issues, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
Beyond journalism, I’m deeply involved in public diplomacy, having hosted educational events through the Birthright Internship Program. Whether reporting on current events, developing media strategies, or engaging in international dialogue, I am committed to using media as a tool for truth and connection.
I’m always eager to explore opportunities that allow me to tell meaningful stories and contribute to global conversations. Let’s connect!
Case Study: GSG-9 and the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre i24news Video
Project Name: GSG-9 and the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre
Type of Project: News Video for i24news Digital Hebrew
Duration: 1 week
Team: Digital Content Team at i24news
My Role: Scriptwriter and Researcher
Problem: The project aimed to produce a concise, impactful video that informed viewers about GSG-9, Germany's elite counter-terrorism unit, and its connection to the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed by the Palestinian terror group Black September. The challenge was to balance historical accuracy, emotional resonance, and engaging storytelling for a digital audience.
Audience: i24news' Hebrew-speaking digital audience, primarily those interested in global security, Israeli history, and counter-terrorism efforts.
Content
Process:
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Research: I gathered information from credible sources about the Munich massacre, the formation of GSG-9, and its impact on global counter-terrorism tactics.
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Scriptwriting: I crafted a clear, engaging script, ensuring complex historical events were presented accurately yet accessibly for a digital audience.
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Collaboration: I worked closely with the video editors, ensuring my script aligned with the visual storytelling, pacing, and graphics.
Methods Used:
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Historical research using verified online archives and official government sources.
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Writing and editing using Google Docs for team collaboration.
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Coordinating feedback loops with editors and producers to refine the final product.
Deliverables:
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Finalized video script.
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Fact-checked historical timeline.
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Support for video editing team with suggested graphics and captions.
Closure
Challenges:
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Condensing complex historical events into a short digital format without oversimplifying.
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Maintaining emotional sensitivity while discussing a tragic event.
Learnings:
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I honed my ability to balance historical accuracy with engaging storytelling.
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Strengthened my collaboration skills by working closely with editors and producers.
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Gained deeper insight into how impactful, well-researched content resonates with a digital audience.
Impact:
The video gained strong engagement on i24news' digital platforms, sparking conversation about both the historical event and the ongoing importance of elite counter-terrorism units like GSG-9. It reinforced the network’s commitment to covering Israeli history with accuracy and depth.
Case Study 2: News Infographics
Young Anxiety & Trump Vs Biden
Youth Anxiety Infographic
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Problem
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Rising levels of anxiety among youth have become a significant public health concern, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, social media influence, and academic pressures.
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Parents, educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers seeking to understand and address youth anxiety.
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Type of the Project
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Informational Infographic
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Duration of the Project
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4 weeks
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Team and Your Role/Responsibility within the Team
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I was responsible for the entirety of the Project
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My role: Research, data analysis, and content creation, designer
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Process Followed
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Conducted comprehensive research on youth anxiety statistics and trends.
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Collaborated with the designer to conceptualize the visual layout.
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Consulted with the mental health expert to ensure accuracy and sensitivity.
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Developed drafts and iterated based on feedback.
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Methods Used
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Data collection from reputable sources such as the CDC and WHO.
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Visual storytelling techniques to present data effectively.
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User feedback sessions to refine the infographic.
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Deliverables
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High-resolution infographic suitable for digital and print distribution.
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Social media snippets and GIFs highlighting key statistics.
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Challenges
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Ensuring data accuracy amidst rapidly changing statistics.
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Presenting sensitive information without causing alarm.
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Limitations
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Data may not represent all demographics equally.
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Limited by the availability of recent studies.
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Impact
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Increased awareness among the target audience.
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Hope to be used as an educational tool in schools and community centers.
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Learnings
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The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Effective ways to visualize complex data.
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Trump vs. Biden Inflation Infographic
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Problem
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Understanding the differing impacts of economic policies under the Trump and Biden administrations on inflation rates.
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Audience
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Economics students, policy analysts, and the general public interested in economic trends.
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Type of the Project
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Comparative Infographic
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Team and Your Role/Responsibility within the Team
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I was responsible for the entirety of the project
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My role: Data gathering, analysis, and narrative development, designer
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Process Followed
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Collected inflation data from official sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Analyzed the data to identify trends corresponding to each administration.
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Designed visual elements to compare and contrast the findings.
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Reviewed the infographic with the economist for accuracy.
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Methods Used
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Time-series analysis of inflation rates.
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Correlation of policy implementation dates with inflation trends.
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Visual comparison techniques to highlight differences.
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Deliverables
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Detailed infographic illustrating inflation trends under both administrations.
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Interactive elements for digital platforms, such as hover-over data points.
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Challenges
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Isolating the impact of specific policies on inflation amidst other variables.
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Ensuring non-partisan presentation of the data.
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Limitations
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External factors influencing inflation not accounted for.
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Time lag between policy implementation and observable effects.
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Impact
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Provided clarity on the effects of different economic policies.
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Served as a reference for academic discussions and articles.
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Learnings
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The complexity of economic indicators and their multifaceted influences.
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Techniques for unbiased data presentation.
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Case Study 3: Perq
PERQ: Unlocking Local Student Discounts with Location-Based Tech
Role: Company Spokesperson, Designer
Team: Alon Labock, Hannah Belton, Sidney Cocimano, Quin McGowan
Timeline: Spring 2025
Problem
College students juggle high living costs:
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$850+ on rent
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$500 on groceries/month
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$280 on personal expenses/month
Yet, no streamlined platform exists to help them find and use all their available discounts. Students are missing savings opportunities in their immediate area.
Solution
PERQ is a mobile app that helps college students discover, share, and redeem local discounts by leveraging:
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Location services to surface nearby student-specific deals
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Search + filter tools to sort by distance, deal category (food, retail, experiences), and travel method
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Interactive map and scroll view for easy exploration
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Community board to post, rate, and discuss deals
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Exclusive deals from local partners only available through PERQ
Target Audience
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College students aged 18–24 looking to save on everyday expenses
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Budget-conscious young adults eager for affordable experiences
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Local businesses looking to increase foot traffic from nearby campuses
Research & Insights
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Surveyed multiple students from the University.
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84% had used a student discount but didn’t know how to consistently find more
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Students valued ease of use and real-time map visuals
Core Features
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Map View: Pin-based deals near current location
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Filter & Sort: By category, distance, and travel option
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User Generated Deals: Post and share verified discounts
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Discussion Board: Ask questions or rate deals
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Detail View: Store hours, redemption method, and directions
Differentiators
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Hyper-local + student-exclusive
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Combines discovery, discussion, and redemption
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Builds a community around saving money
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Strategic partnerships with local businesses and influencers
SWOT Summary
Strengths: Location-specific, student-only deals; discussion board
Weaknesses: Needs consistent deal updates and strong partnerships
Opportunities: Expand to more campuses; influencer collabs
Threats: Competitors like Unidays; economic downturn limiting deals
Takeaways
This project taught me how to merge UX research, community-building, and visual storytelling into a product that solves a real problem. I gained hands-on experience leading design sprints, wireframing, and presenting to stakeholders.
