National Retail Solutions (NRS) is proud to announce its collaboration with El Especialito, the nation’s largest Spanish-language weekly newspaper, to launch the “Where’s Paco?” (“¿Dónde Está Paco?”) community print contest. The interactive initiative is designed to celebrate local journalism, encourage family engagement, and reward El Especialito’s readership’s unwavering loyalty with a $1,000 grand prize.
Created to celebrate the role of local media, the contest encourages families to gather around the newspaper, explore its stories, and participate in something fun. Paco the Puma represents strength and resilience, beautifully reflecting the vibrant spirit of the Hispanic families and independent business owners who form the backbone of local neighborhoods.
For many households, the weekly print edition remains a trusted source of information, culture, and connection. Rather than simply offering a prize, the program reinforces the value of staying informed and supporting community journalism.
“Neighborhood bodegas and local media are the heartbeat of the Hispanic community,” said Elie Y. Katz, President and CEO of NRS. “Supporting the El Especialito contest ‘Where’s Paco?’ allows us to give back directly to the readers who support these essential local businesses every day.”
The interactive contest encourages readers to explore the physical newspaper each week. To participate, readers must follow a few simple steps:
- Find Paco: Locate the hidden illustration of Paco the Puma inside the printed weekly edition of El Especialito.
- Snap a Photo: Take a clear photograph of the full newspaper page where Paco is hiding.
- Submit the Entry: Upload the photo through the official contest page.
- Win the Grand Prize: Participants who successfully locate Paco in at least four separate weekly editions and submit qualifying entries will be entered into a random drawing to win the $1,000 reward.
The contest officially runs in El Especialito’s weekly editions from February 20 through April 10. The final deadline for all submissions is April 15 at 12:00 AM EST.
“El Especialito has always believed that our role goes beyond publishing entertainment and news,” said Anthony Ibarria, General Manager of El Especialito. “‘Where’s Paco?’ gives our readers a reason to interact with the paper in a hands-on way each week. With NRS’s continued partnership, we are able to create something that is fun, engaging, and meaningful for our community.”
About National Retail Solutions (NRS)
National Retail Solutions (NRS), a subsidiary of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), operates the leading point-of-sale (POS) system and NRS Pay payment processing services for thousands of independent retailers in the United States and Canada. NRS provides small and mid-sized business owners with robust, revenue-generating store management and checkout systems, including EBT/eWIC acceptance, e-commerce solutions, payroll services, business cash advances, and other merchant services. NRS serves diverse retail segments through specialized solutions, such as NRS Petro for gas stations and convenience stores. For more information on NRS, visit www.nrsplus.com.
About El Especialito
As the largest Spanish-language weekly newspaper in the United States, El Especialito is dedicated to informing, uplifting, and representing the Hispanic community. For decades, the publication has provided essential news, entertainment, and community highlights, acting as a deeply connected and accessible voice for the neighborhoods it serves.
About Paco the Puma
Paco the Puma is the official mascot of National Retail Solutions (NRS). Representing the strength, resilience, and vibrant spirit of independent bodega owners and their communities, Paco has stepped into the pages of El Especialito for the “Where’s Paco?” contest. His mission is to bring families together, support local journalism, and reward the loyal readers who keep their neighborhood businesses thriving.
