A growing number of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Kerry Washington, Ellen DeGeneres and Amy Schumer have been giving out their cell numbers to fans through texting app Community. Now magazines are starting to get in on the action.
First to join is Meredith-owned People magazine. The celebrity-filled publication is launching on the platform this weekend, allowing it to text directly with its Community audience during the 92nd Academy Awards, covering backstage, the awards show and after parties.
Like celebrities, People will post a cell number to social media and then a team of reporters in Los Angeles and New York will respond to texts. It won’t, however, be their personal cell numbers, but one that Community has created — the same method used for the A-listers.
“We think a lot about how to communicate with our users and that means going to the places where they are,” Zoe Ruderman, editor of People Digital, told WWD, adding that it’s the first media outlet to partner with Community. “It’s not just about creating an incredible editorial experience on our web site, but also going and meeting them on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. Community is another way to be in contact with them, but also to

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