T3 Media, LLC, the parent company of the Henrico Citizen newspaper, today announces its acquisition of the Henrico Advantage Card program, which it has rebranded into a multi-faceted program known as DiscoverHenrico.com.

The new program includes a website – www.DiscoverHenrico.com – that launched today; a glossy printed guide that will publish annually in early June; and a soon-to-be-released smartphone app and keycard.

"We're thrilled to be able to build upon the foundation laid through the Henrico Advantage Card program," T3 Media, LLC Publisher/Owner Tom Lappas said. "Incorporating a program focused solely on Henrico County into our media family was a natural fit. We look forward to helping more Henrico businesses connect with local residents, through our growing platform of outlets."

The DiscoverHenrico.com program is designed to provide an all-encompassing view of all things Henrico.

In addition to incorporating the primary element of the Henrico Advantage Card program – providing Henrico businesses with an opportunity to promote special offers to local shoppers – DiscoverHenrico.com also will serve as an information resource for county residents, businesses and visitors.

The site includes comprehensive lists and details about a variety of topics, including shopping, entertainment, recreation, business, government, education and health. It also features a list of county-based community organizations and nonprofit organizations.

The annual printed guide will incorporate information from the website and also will include a variety of additional content, articles and features about the people, places and events that make Henrico County so unique.

Consumers soon will be able to pick up free DiscoverHenrico.com keycards and download a free DiscoverHenrico.com smartphone app, both of which may be used to redeem special offers from participating businesses. A complete list of participating businesses and current special offers is available at www.DiscoverHenrico.com/shop.

As part of the program, a percentage of its annual profits will be donated to one or several nonprofit organizations based in Henrico. In 2012, the company will donate $5,000 to the Hilliard House, a program based in Eastern Henrico that serves homeless women and their children.

"Henrico County is one of the most historic, progressive and unique localities in the nation, and this program provides us with an opportunity through which to highlight the county's many attributes," Lappas said.

The Henrico Advantage Card program was created in 2010 by three Henrico business associations – the Eastern Henrico Business Association, Lakeside Business Association and Henrico Business Leaders – as a way to celebrate the county's 400th anniversary in 2011, promote local business, encourage local residents to do business in Henrico County and reward those who did so. The program offered free Henrico Advantage Cards to consumers, who could then redeem special offers at participating businesses by showing the cards. (Businesses will continue to accept the cards while the new program is phased in.)

Businesses can join the DiscoverHenrico.com program as members (with annual plans beginning at $100) or sponsors (with annual plans beginning at $1,000). Each participating business receives:

• its own individual page on the website, through which to promote special offers;

• inclusion in a weekly e-mail newsletter distributed to more than 14,000 recipients (featuring the business name and a link directly to its page on DiscoverHenrico.com);

• inclusion of its logo along with other members and sponsors in 26 half-page DiscoverHenrico.com print advertisements in the Henrico Citizen newspaper (published twice monthly);

• a full-color advertisement in the DiscoverHenrico.com glossy printed guide;

• DiscoverHenrico.com posters and stickers to display at its business location to increase awareness about the program;

• a specified number of DiscoverHenrico.com keycards for distribution to customers (number varies by participation level);

• a specified number of DiscoverHenrico.com glossy printed guides for distribution (number varies by participation level; guide published annually in June);

For details about the program, visit www.DiscoverHenrico.com, call (804) 262-1700 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).