Mercure tests ‘six degrees of separation’ theory

There is a well-known theory that we are all separated by a mere six people, and now Mercure is out to prove it.

Introducing a worldwide digital operation, ‘The Six Friends Theory’ is putting this concept to the test, combining the power of social media and candid face-to-face encounters.

The goal, essentially, is to select a candidate from anywhere in the world, and bring them to meet an Aboriginal man from the Bundjalung tribe in Australia, with the aim of proving that they are only six degrees of separation apart.

They don’t yet know each other, but will be meeting via a chain of friends, and friends of friends, in this unique project around the globe.

The process kicked off on January 20, with internet dwellers invited to post a video of up to one minute long on Facebook, capturing their personality, their likes, dislikes, ambitions, plans and talents.

Once the videos go up on Mercure’s Facebook page, the 50 candidates with the most votes will be short-listed, before a panel of six, including film directors and magazine editors, select a winner.

The casting will run until February 10, with results announced between February 17 and 24, so it’s a race to get in front of the camera and prove why you’re the world’s best friend.

The game’s first prize is a trip around the world, spanning seven weeks.

The winner will take off in March, with the ‘Six Friends Theory’ campaign taking them on a journey through six encounters, six trips, and to six Mercure hotels around the world.

At each stop, the chosen traveller will be told where to find their next friend, who will take them on a journey through the destination, with this process repeating until they reach their final encounter with the Aboriginal man.

Throughout the journey, the winning candidate will be escorted and captured by a filmmaking team led by Jean-François Julian, who with more than a few round-the-world trips under his belt is well up for the challenge.

And the other 49 candidates won’t miss out entirely, winning nights at Mercure hotels, Samsung tablets and various other ‘Six Friends Theory’ prizes.

Check out this sweet little vid on how to get involved, and what to expect should you be successful.

Some would say we live in a small world. Let’s find out. #6FriendsTheory.