The Q is a nickname or moniker for Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is the city's new nickname mandated by third term mayor Martin Chavez. According to city official, Bruce Perlman, the reasoning behind it's new branding effort:
It's Albuquerque's hip incarnation. Albuquerque has two Q's standing for 'quality of life' times 'quality of life for the future'[1].
"The Q" is the moniker also associated with the city's new green campaign. One motto "the Q, Cures Global Warming Everyday" can be seen on billboards all around the city.
On March 23rd, 2007, the city's mayor Martin Chavez announced his plan to brand the city "the Q"[2].
It has stemmed a controversial backlash from some Albuquerque residents over outsourcing the city's cultural identity to advertising and marketing firms without seeking input from it's residents.
One movement, Soy de Burque, has formed in response to the branding effort and is using guerrilla marketing efforts to raise awareness for maintaining the city's rich cultural identity[3]
Other reactions to "the Q" have been accusations of greenwashing[4].