Craig Bamsey, CEO of predictive marketing firm Infinia Foresight, said that while he's seen quick adoption rates translate into quick abandonment rates, he also said the quality of a product and its ability to touch deeply can't be underestimated.

"You don't want to say a lot and then nothing and almost force a fad," he said. "If it's 100 percent flash and no substance, you're going to fade quickly."

But, he said, it depends on your goal. Some things are meant to be a fad, like fashion styles and the children's toys that appear each holiday season. Lance Armstrong's Livestrong awareness-raising bracelet also enjoyed short-lived popularity, but it still left a lasting impression on the American public.

But if a product or personality implies a certain depth and texture, and can change and adapt with a culture, it could demonstrate staying power.

For example, he pointed out, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" topped the charts for nine months and is one of the best-selling albums of all-time. But that didn't stop his career from lasting another two decades.

"Some things lend themselves to a fast start. Others have a long tail," Bamsey said.

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