Burkle going after Maxim

Please, no jokes. So what if Ron Burkle likes to hang with models and starlettes, and Maxim specializes in, well, lots and lots of photos of models and starlettes (the May issue includes "six rules for making the ultimate sex tape"). That can't possibly be the basis for the L.A. billionaire's interest in Dennis Publishing, which owns Maxim, along with Blender and Stuff (don't ask). Maxim is the biggest prize, with circulation of 2.5 million and a 20.2 percent increase in ad pages for the first quarter. Burkle, through his Yucaipa investment arm, is in competition with ex-Wenner Media executive Kent Brownridge, who is no shrinking violet himself (dubbed Dr. Evil in some NY circles, he's the guy who kept the trains running on time in the Jan Wenner empire). Anyhoo, the third and final round of bids are due May 23, according to Ad Age. Others may make last-minutes tries. Burkle has been trying to bulk up on media properties, most recently with this week's purchase, through Yucaipa-controlled Interlink Cos., of Primedia's enthusiast titles for $1.2 billion.