Compulsive executive producers Jack Turney and Donald O'Connor were alerted to the director's work after his debut TV spot for Sprite, "hamster", was nominated for a Lion.
"We were astonished to find a new director who had a reel consisting of six amazing spots, none of which were spec, that were all produced in the last 12 months," Turney said.
Hallgreen and his producer Henrik Erriksson agreed on a work ethic that would complement Compulsive's way of doing things with research, storyboarding, test shooting, creating models and post follow through.
Hallgreen, whose style has been described as quirky and surreal, won rising acclaim throughout Europe after he began directing for the Stockholm-based production company Atmosfar in 2004.
The new director joins Mark Celentano, Sergio Henriques, Linzi Knight, Jorgen Loof and Tony Ober, and has already begun work on a six-spot campaign for Ikea that will be released on DVD and distributed at Ikea stores worldwide and on air internationally.
Hallgren's reel includes work for Fanta, Electrolux vacuum cleaners and French bottled water Vichy Nouveau, as well as a music video for reggae star Jimmy Cliff.
"I'm always striving for new challenges and for me breaking into the US market represents doing bigger and better work. I think my style will fit in well with what is happening stylistically in the US," Hallgreen said.
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