Cécillon, the former chairman and chief executive officer of EMI Music International, will have special responsibility for the global launch of Love Never Dies, the sequel to the international smash The Phantom of the Opera. He will report directly to composer Lloyd Webber and will work closely with André Ptaszynski, the chief executive of The Really Useful Group, the producers of Love Never Dies.

Cécillon, 50, has lived in London for the past 20 years and has spent his career in the music and media industry. His key achievements include: producing the 46664 Cape Town Concert for Nelson Mandela's AIDS Awareness Campaign in 2003, signing Robbie Williams to EMI in 1996, delivering the European launch of the Sega Dreamcast console in 1999, including the sponsorship deal with Arsenal Football Club.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said in a statement, "I am delighted JF will be joining the Really Useful Group team for the worldwide launch of Love Never Dies. His proven track record as a global executive, particularly in marketing, digital and music, will be invaluable for the group."

Cécillon said, "I am delighted to be joining the company at such an exciting time. Phantom is a worldwide phenomenon, and I am proud to have been asked to be part of the next stage of the Phantom's global development and to be working with Andrew and André."

Jack O'Brien is the director of Love Never Dies. A simultaneous launch in three international cities is being explored for late 2009. No casting has been announced. Glenn Slater (Broadway's The Little Mermaid) is the project's lyricist, and Bob Crowley is the designer.

The Phantom of the sequel is now alive and well and living in Coney Island, Brooklyn. He reunites with his past love, Christine. The entirely new story is created by Lloyd Webber, lyricist Slater, director O'Brien "and a twist of it was given to us by Ben Elton," the composer told the Times of London.