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<p>Consumers are willing to spend thousands of dollars for luxury brand watches such as Rolex and Cartier because they are synonymous with high quality. But does this mean that inexpensive watches made by low-cost rivals must always be low quality? According to a <a href="http://www.jcr-admin.org/files/pressPDFs/081414081714_678035.pdf">new study</a> in the <em>Journal of Consumer Research</em>, consumers mistakenly predict product quality based on quality consistency in other price ranges.</p>

<p><span>Moderate employment expansion in Colorado for the second half of 2014 is expected based on a second-quarter report by the �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Leeds School of Business, released today by Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler.</span></p>
<p>“Coloradans continue their entrepreneurial spirit and are putting their creative ideas to the test,” said Gessler. “Their leadership and innovation should translate to moderate employment growth through the rest of the year.”</p>

<p class="p1">The Colorado economy continues to outperform the U.S. economy and grow at a magnitude that slightly exceeds previous expectations, according to the midyear economic outlook released today by the �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Leeds School of Business.</p>
<p class="p1">Colorado employment is up by 3 percent year-over-year from May 2013 to May 2014. A total gain of 68,000 jobs in Colorado is expected for 2014 -- an upward revision to a December estimate of 61,300 jobs for the year.</p>

<p class="p1">The confidence of Colorado business leaders remains positive and has slightly increased going into the third quarter of 2014, according to the most recent Leeds Business Confidence Index, or LBCI, released today by the �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Leeds School of Business.</p>
<p class="p1">The third quarter LBCI posted a reading of 61.2, an increase from 61 last quarter.</p>

<p>The �Ͼ�Ʒ�� will offer an intensive certificate course in entrepreneurship, taught by MBA faculty and open to the public, Aug. 17-22.</p>
<p>The course will expose students to the principles of entrepreneurship -- including techniques of market analysis, networking and funding -- through class discussions. It also will provide real-world experience through mentorship with entrepreneurs and work on individual projects.</p>

<p>The University of Colorado Board of Regents today voted 8-0 with one Regent absent to approve the new College of Media, Communication and Information at the Regents’ monthly meeting, held at the Tivoli Center at the University of Colorado Denver. The college will open in fall 2015.</p>

<p class="p1">Consumers perceive a brand to be cooler when it suggests it true to itself and follows its own motives regardless of individual or societal norms and expectations, according to a �Ͼ�Ʒ�� study involving Texas A&M University.</p>
<p class="p1">However, the autonomous behavior of the brand needs to be contextually appropriate -- not over the top -- in order to be seen as cool as opposed to weird or rude, according to the paper published last week online and slated for the August edition of the Journal of Consumer Research.</p>

<p>Lauren E. Cross graduates May 9 from CU-Boulder with a degree in political science and minor in economics, leaving her legacy with CU Student Government and the campus comedy improv group, Left Right Tim. A Colorado native, Cross sees herself sticking around Boulder for a little while before venturing to a place that offers a scene for politics as well as comedy.</p>

<p><span>A $500,000 gift from Phillips 66 will go toward the Leeds School Career Development Office</span><span>, which supports undergraduates by providing professional skills, career exploration and preparation, industry experiences and access to employer and alumni connections throughout the student experience.  </span></p>

<p>Chicago is the funniest city in the United States, according to a �Ͼ�Ʒ�� study.</p>
<p>Boston is the No. 2 wise guy, followed by Atlanta in third place. Denver made the top 10 list at No. 8.</p>