One of the best things that can be done to extend the service life of exterior brick is to apply Siloxane sealant.  It is recommended that this product be applied every five to seven years.  If a building owner would do this the brick and mortar would virtually last forever.  The catch is that this product is expensive.  Short of applying Siloxane to the building, regularly scheduled inspections can pay for themselves in the long term.
If you have a free-standing wall, like a decorative wing wall off the corners of a building or a free-standing brick sign out front, you would be wise to resist the temptation to cap the structure with brick just to achieve a certain aesthetic. Unlike a building sidewall that only has one face exposed and is usually protected by overhangs or parapet caps, a free-standing wall is subject to the elements from all sides.  We recommend that any freestanding brick structure be capped with metal or stone, like Indiana Limestone.