JASON CLAY DUNN NAMED SEASON 5 WINNER OF "INK MASTER" IN LIVE SEASON FINALE

New York, NY, December 17, 2014 - In a live finale that was both fierce and thrilling, Jason Clay Dunn was named winner of Season 5 of "Ink Master." Dunn wins a cash prize of $100,000, a feature article in the premiere tattoo publication Inked and the ultimate bragging rights title of 'Ink Master.'

Eighteen of the top tattoo artists from around the country battled it out all season in permanent ink, competing in various tattoo challenges that not only tested the artists' technical skills, but also their on-the-spot creativity where they had to create and execute an original tattoo on a 'human canvas.' This season of "Ink Master" was not just about the rivalries you created on the show, as each contestant came into the competition with a personal tattoo rival. From convention circuit foes, a former boss vs former employee, brothers and even two of the most infamous rivals in "Ink Master" history, this season's competition was more personal than ever.

Each week's challenges focused on a different tattoo technique and style. After every challenge the contestants faced a tough panel made up of series host Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction) and judges, renowned tattoo artists Chris Nunez ("Miami Ink") and Oliver Peck (Elm Street Tattoo). The masterpieces these artists created will last forever, but so will their mistakes.

The final three contestants: Jason Clay Dunn, owner and artist at Tattoo Alchemy in Montclair, CA, Cleen Rock One, owner and artist at Chrome Gypsy Tattoo in Las Vegas, NV, and Erik Siuda, owner and artist at Ghost Gallery Tattoo in Bethpage, NY were each assigned their own master canvas. They were sent back to their home bases to complete a 35-hour back-piece tattoo, where they had five, seven-hour sessions with their master canvas to create the best tattoo design of their career.

In the finale Dunn, One, and Siuda revealed their master canvases to the judges and America. After the judges reviewed the artwork, Erik Siuda was eliminated from the competition. In the end it came down to Jason Clay Dunn and Cleen Rock One with the judges in a close call, ultimately naming Dunn the season 5 winner of "Ink Master."

During the show, one lucky fan was given the opportunity to get inked by last season's Fan Favorite, Walter "Sausage" Frank. Frank tattooed a sexy Christmas elf LIVE on air during the finale in honor of 'Merry Ink' and 'New Year's Ink" specials, airing on Tuesday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 30 at 10pm ET/PT. "Ink Master" will also return for a sixth season in the summer of 2015.

"Ink Master" is once again proving to be a ratings driver for the network and has improved the timeslot in Adults 18-49 by 38% and 41% in Adults 18-34. The series is 47% male, demonstrating the network's ongoing plan to deliver gender-balanced original hit series.

"Ink Master" is produced for Spike by Original Media ("Swamp People," "Comic Book Men," "BBQ Pitmasters," "Grilled," "Dual Survival," and "NY Ink") with Charlie Corwin, Daniel Laikind and Andrea Richter serving as Executive Producers. Original Media is a subsidiary of Endemol USA.

Sharon Levy is Spike's Executive Vice President, Original Series, Chris Rantamaki and is Senior Vice President of Original Programming for Spike and oversees production of "Ink Master" and Kevin Bartel serves as the network's Executive in Charge of Production.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.